November 6, 2025

A dramatic scene unfolded near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday afternoon, November 4, when a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that the flight, known as UPS Flight 2976, went down around 5:15 p.m. local time. This dramatic crash happened just moments after the plane, a 34-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD-11 converted for cargo use, took off from Louisville. The plane was bound for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii. Videos shared widely online showed fiery flames bursting from the aircraft shortly after it left the ground. Plumes of thick, black smoke painted the sky over Louisville, shocking residents and triggering a huge emergency response. The local news outlet WDRB reported emergency crews rushed to multiple explosion calls near Fern Valley Road and Grade Lane, close to the airport’s edge. Louisville Metro Police confirmed an active scene with fires burning and debris scattered wildly across the area. Police spokesperson Matt Sanders said, “The incident involved a plane crash with injuries and more than 20 calls for service.” FlightRadar24 data shed more light on the plane, showing the aircraft registered as N259UP. This veteran plane entered UPS service back in 2006 and has been flying cargo for years. In response to the crash, authorities acted fast, issuing a shelter-in-place order for all residents within five miles of the airport around 5:30 p.m. This safety zone was even extended later. The Louisville Metro Police Department posted a firm warning on X: “All areas north of the airport to the Ohio River are now a part of the shelter-in-place. Please remain away from the area.” Right now, officials have not confirmed how many people were on board or what exactly caused this scary crash. The FAA is teaming up with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to investigate this tragic event. While questions remain, Louisvillians are urged to stay calm and stay safe, as emergency teams work tirelessly to control the situation and find answers.

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Tags: Louisville Plane Crash, Ups Cargo Flight, Faa, Ntsb Investigation, Emergency response, Shelter-in-place,