Kentucky: At least seven people were killed when a UPS cargo jet crashed and exploded shortly after take-off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening.
The aircraft went down around 5:15 pm local time while departing for a long-haul flight to Hawaii. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that the plane’s three crew members were likely among the dead. Authorities warned the toll may rise as search teams continued working through the charred wreckage late into the night.
Thick black smoke billowed above Louisville as firefighters battled intense flames fueled by an estimated 38,000 gallons of jet fuel. At least two commercial sites were hit, including a petroleum recycling facility, and two workers there remained unaccounted for. More than a dozen others suffered injuries, some of them severe.
The MD-11F triple-engine aircraft erupted in a violent fireball upon impact, prompting a wide shelter-in-place order due to fears of further explosions and toxic fumes. Louisville Fire crews described highly dangerous conditions, slowed by leaking fuel and burning debris.
The news out of Louisville is tough tonight as the death toll has now reached at least 7, with that number expected to rise. First responders are onsite and working hard to extinguish the fire and continue the investigation. 1/3
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) November 5, 2025
All outgoing flights were grounded as first responders moved in. The initial five-mile safety perimeter around the airport was later reduced to one mile after crews gained more control over the fire. Emergency officials urged residents to stay away from the scene, calling it an unstable environment with ongoing fire risks.
The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team to Kentucky to determine what caused the jet to go down. Officials cautioned it is too early to identify the cause, and the site will remain an active investigation zone for several days. The aircraft, first delivered 34 years ago and acquired by UPS in 2006, is part of a fleet model being gradually retired by major US cargo operators as they modernize.
Louisville, home to UPS’s Worldport global hub and thousands of employees, was shaken by the disaster. Local officials noted virtually every household in the city has someone connected to the logistics giant, creating widespread anxiety as families checked in with loved ones.
UPS temporarily halted sorting operations at Worldport Tuesday night and said it was deeply saddened by the tragedy. City leaders praised the rapid deployment of first responders and vowed full support for affected families.
