The tragedy surrounding the crash of a UPS wide-body cargo plane in Louisville has escalated, with officials confirming a death toll of seven people, including all three crew members aboard the aircraft. Additionally, 11 people on the ground were injured.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11, bound for Honolulu, crashed and erupted into a massive fireball shortly before sundown on Tuesday, around 5:15 p.m., moments after taking off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF).
The catastrophic impact occurred in an industrial corridor at the southern edge of the airport, near the intersection of Fern Valley Road and Grade Lane. Flames from the wreckage ignited a string of secondary fires on the ground, heavily impacting at least two businesses: a petroleum recycling company and an auto parts shop.
The confirmed fatalities include the three crew members on the plane and four individuals on the ground. Among the 11 injured being treated at local hospitals, some are reported to have “very significant” injuries, according to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.
“The news out of Louisville is tough tonight as the death toll has now reached at least 7, with that number expected to rise,” Governor Beshear stated.
PREVIOUS UPDATE: The scene of a UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville is now confirmed to be catastrophic, with at least three people killed and 11 injured, according to an update from Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. The governor cautioned that these numbers are expected to grow as first responders continue to work through the area.
The large McDonnell Douglas MD-11, which had three crew members aboard, crashed and exploded shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) around 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, heading for Honolulu.
The crash site, located at the southern edge of the airport near the intersection of Fern Valley Road and Grade Lane, erupted into a massive fireball, sending a large plume of black smoke into the sky. Television footage showed a major trail of flames following the aircraft before impact.
“Right now we believe we have at least three fatalities, though I believe that number is going to get larger. We have at least 11 injuries, some of them very significant,” Gov. Andy Beshear said.
ORIGINAL REPORT: A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) on Tuesday, igniting a massive fire on the ground. Officials confirmed that the McDonnell Douglas MD-11, owned by UPS and bound for Honolulu, went down around 5:15 p.m.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident. The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) confirmed they responded to reports of a plane crash at the southern edge of the airport, specifically near the intersection of Fern Valley Road and Grade Lane.
The LMPD reported that injuries occurred, though the exact number and severity remain unclear. Social media and television footage showed a significant plume of black smoke rising into the sky and a large trail of flames emanating from a parking lot as fire crews worked to extinguish the blaze.
Due to the danger and debris, police issued a request for the public to stay away from the area and ordered a shelter-in-place within a 5-mile radius of the airport.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear acknowledged the reports in a post on X, stating, “First responders are onsite… Please pray for the pilots, crew and everyone affected.” The 1991-manufactured plane’s flight originated from Louisville, a major global hub for UPS.
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