Latest Update: Plane Crash at Louisville Airport Leaves 9 Dead and 11 Injured as Investigation Begins

A devastating UPS cargo plane crash at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport has left at least nine people dead and 11 others injured. The tragic incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, when the aircraft exploded shortly after takeoff, sending a massive fireball into the sky. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed the death toll early Wednesday morning, with several victims still unaccounted for.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter was departing for Honolulu from UPS’s Worldport facility when witnesses saw flames on its left wing moments before the plane lifted off the runway. Seconds later, it crashed near the end of the airfield, erupting into flames that engulfed nearby industrial buildings. Governor Andy Beshear said he expects the death toll to rise as search and rescue operations continue.

Officials Confirm Details of Louisville Airport Plane Crash

The crash site, located less than 10 minutes from downtown Louisville, caused widespread panic across surrounding neighborhoods. Emergency crews issued an initial shelter-in-place order for a five-mile radius, later reduced to a quarter-mile after air-quality checks. Four of the confirmed fatalities were civilians on the ground, while the rest are believed to include members of the three-person flight crew. Eleven people sustained serious injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals.

Videos captured from the airport show flames shooting from the plane’s left engine moments before impact. A nearby petroleum recycling facility and auto-parts warehouse suffered severe damage. “Anybody who has seen the video knows how violent this crash was,” Governor Beshear said. He described the incident as one of Kentucky’s worst aviation disasters in decades.

UPS, which operates its largest global air-cargo hub in Louisville, temporarily halted package-sorting operations Tuesday night. The facility, known as Worldport, employs thousands and handles more than 400,000 packages per hour. Company officials said they are cooperating fully with investigators and extended condolences to families affected by the tragedy.

Investigation Underway and Community Impact

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has deployed a 28-member team to lead the investigation, joined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local authorities. Early findings indicate the MD-11F freighter was built in 1991, and investigators are examining possible engine failure or fuel ignition as contributing factors. Aviation attorney Pablo Rojas noted that once fire ignited near an engine with a full fuel load, “it was only a matter of time before the fire grew rapidly.”

Several roads near the airport remain closed, and Jefferson County Public Schools canceled classes for Wednesday. The airport resumed limited operations early Wednesday morning, with one runway reopened. Dozens of stranded passengers spent the night inside the terminal as cleanup and recovery continued.

Residents described scenes of chaos and fear. “It literally looked like a war zone,” said business owner Tom Brooks Jr., whose recycling shop sits near the crash site. Others, like Eric Richardson, waited anxiously outside police stations seeking news about missing loved ones. “We don’t even want to think about anything but the best,” said one friend of a missing worker.

As recovery teams continue to sift through debris, Louisville mourns a tragedy that has shaken the city and one of its largest employers. The NTSB investigation is expected to take months, but officials promise transparency as they work to determine what caused the deadly plane crash at Louisville airport.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: How many people died in the Louisville plane crash?

At least nine people are confirmed dead, including four who were on the ground and several others believed to be on board the UPS cargo plane.

Q2: What type of plane crashed at the Louisville airport?

The aircraft was a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 F, a cargo freighter built in 1991 and operated by UPS Airlines.

Q3: Where exactly did the plane crash occur?

The plane crashed shortly after takeoff from UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, near several industrial facilities.

Q4: Has UPS suspended operations at the airport?

Yes. UPS temporarily halted sorting and flight operations at its Worldport facility after the crash. Partial services are expected to resume once investigations stabilize the site.

Q5: Who is investigating the crash?

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with assistance from the FAA and UPS technical teams.