At least seven people killed after UPS cargo plane crashes in Kentucky

November 5, 2025

A UPS cargo plane crashed during takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, resulting in at least seven fatalities, including the aircraft's three crew members. The MD-11F freight plane exploded shortly after departure, carrying 38,000 gallons of fuel intended for a flight to Hawaii, which caused a massive fire that engulfed nearby businesses including a petroleum recycling facility. The crash injured at least 11 people, with two auto business workers still missing, and authorities initially ordered sheltering-in-place within five miles due to explosion and contamination risks.

Who is affected

Three crew members on the UPS plane (likely among the dead)
At least seven people killed in total
At least 11 people injured
Two workers at an auto business (unaccounted for)
Unknown number of customers at the premises when the crash occurred
Workers at two nearby businesses that were engulfed, including a petroleum recycling company
UPS employees at Worldport facility in Louisville
Residents within the shelter-in-place zone
Louisville community members with family and friends who work for UPS

What action is being taken

A preliminary investigation is under way
Crews are working to contain the blaze
The National Transportation Safety Bureau (NTSB) investigative team is scheduled to arrive in Kentucky on Wednesday
First responders are controlling the fire and providing support for victims
UPS is halting package sorting operations at Worldport
A shelter-in-place order remains in effect for a one-mile radius from the airport

Why it matters

Louisville is a "UPS town" and home to UPS Worldport, the company's largest package handling facility and global air cargo hub, meaning the tragedy affects thousands of employees and virtually every resident knows someone who works for the company. The crash represents a significant aviation disaster with substantial loss of life and raises safety questions about aging cargo aircraft, particularly as both UPS and FedEx had already announced plans to retire their MD-11 fleets over concerns about modernization. The incident also created immediate public safety hazards due to the massive fuel spill and proximity to a petroleum recycling facility, requiring evacuation orders and flight cancellations.

What's next

The NTSB investigative team is scheduled to arrive in Kentucky on Wednesday
The crash site will remain an active scene for several days while investigators work to render it safe
Boeing will offer technical assistance to the NTSB investigation

Read full article from source: BBC