At least seven dead in UPS Cargo plane crash at Louisville Airport

The airplane was heading for Hawaii when it took fire soon after take-off at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on 4 November 2025. Nearby buildings were struck before the aircraft exploded, leaving at least seven dead and 11 injured.

At the time of the take-off on 4 November 2025 at 5:15 pm local time, the 34-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD-11 UPS cargo plane was heading to Honolulu (Hawaii) with three crew members aboard. However, soon after taking to the air at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky, the plane burst into flames. A thick smoke could be seen, and the airspace around the airport was closed immediately.

The burning plane hit two nearby businesses, Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts. The buildings suffered extensive damage, and multiple fires broke off, fed by the 280,000 gallons of fuel transported by the plane. Emergency services arrived quickly on-site, while a shelter-in-place was issued by the police for everyone within 5 miles of the airport.

Death toll might rise

Soon after the crash, it became clear that at least three people were dead. Moreover, at least 11 people were injured and taken to the hospital, who were inside the industrial buildings when the plane crashed into them. The death toll later rose to seven, but is expected to rise still.

“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”, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said in a statement on X.

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport functions as the worldwide air hub for UPS. The so-called Worldport spans over more than 464,515 square meters, employing over 12,000 people.

“Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved. UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, our customers, and the communities we serve. This is particularly true in Louisville, home to our airline and thousands of UPSers. We are engaged with the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation of the accident and are staying in close contact with the Federal Aviation Administration. We will work tirelessly with state and local authorities on response efforts”, UPS shared in a statement.

The exact cause of the crash is unknown at the time of writing. Residents in the area who come across debris are urged not to touch anything and to get in contact with the local authorities, as all remnants could be crucial to getting a better understanding of the incident.