UPS MD-11 Cargo Plane Crashes and Burns at Louisville Airport

A tragic accident occurred at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on November 4, 2025, when a UPS McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo aircraft, operating as Flight 2976 from Louisville, Kentucky, to Honolulu, Hawaii, burst into flames during takeoff. The widebody freighter, registered N259UP, was carrying three crew members. The crash resulted in the deaths of all three onboard and four people on the ground, with at least 11 others sustaining injuries.

The incident took place at approximately 5:13 p.m. local time (22:13 UTC) as the aircraft accelerated along Runway 17R. According to initial data, the MD-11 reached a ground speed of about 185 knots near the runway aiming markers but failed to lift off. The aircraft left the runway, struck the ground roughly half a nautical mile beyond the runway end, veered left of the extended centerline, and erupted into a massive fireball.

Eyewitness accounts and early evidence suggest the left-hand engine (engine #1), a General Electric CF6, detached from the airframe during the takeoff roll. The separation may have caused catastrophic damage to the center engine (#2), leading to complete loss of thrust and control. Moments later, the aircraft crashed into UPS facilities and nearby businesses, igniting a large blaze that sent thick black smoke billowing over the airport area.

Ground observers reported that the flight had been delayed for approximately two hours earlier in the afternoon due to maintenance work on the same left-hand engine. When the aircraft attempted to take off, witnesses saw flames streaking from the center engine just before impact. The MD-11 reportedly climbed briefly to about 175 feet before descending rapidly and exploding on impact.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed: “UPS Flight 2976 crashed around 5:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Nov. 4, after departing from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 was headed to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. The FAA and NTSB will investigate.”

Kentucky’s governor said the aircraft struck two nearby businesses during its crash sequence. Emergency crews battled the fire for hours as UPS suspended operations and halted package sorting at its Louisville Worldport hub, one of the largest air freight facilities in the world.

Local hospitals reported receiving multiple casualties from surrounding areas affected by the explosion and debris. At least 11 people on the ground were hospitalized, several in critical condition. Officials cautioned that the number of fatalities could increase as recovery efforts continued.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced it has dispatched a “go-team” to Louisville to investigate the crash. “NTSB is launching a go-team to investigate Tuesday’s crash of a UPS MD-11 cargo aircraft, Flight 2976 near Louisville, Kentucky. NTSB Board Member Todd Inman will serve as the on-scene spokesperson. The investigative team is scheduled to arrive in Kentucky tomorrow,” the agency said in a statement.

This is one of the most serious air cargo accidents in recent U.S. history and raises renewed questions about the aging fleet of MD-11 freighters still in commercial service. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the FAA and NTSB, with preliminary findings expected in the coming weeks.

Notable MD-11 Accidents List: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_MD-11#Notable_accidents_and_incidents

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com