Tragedy happened in Kentucky of the US, when one aircraft transport crashed on take-off causing images of chaos and leaving dead and injured.
The cargo plane crashed yesterday Tuesday 04.11.2025near the airport in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, immediately after takeoff, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a transport company announced.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the plane’s three crew members were likely among the dead, adding that “anyone who has seen the images and video knows how violent this crash is.”
Pray for Louisville, Kentucky.
Shelter in place has been ordered after a flaming UPS cargo plane exploded on impact. They are telling everyone within 5 miles to stay put indoors.
This looks catastrophic. pic.twitter.com/bW9JMBfLmC— Andrew (allegedly) (@AllegedlyDrew) November 4, 2025
Authorities warned that people suffered “very serious” injuries in the incident and that the death toll could rise.
UPS Flight 2976 bound for Honolulu, Hawaii was carrying 38,000 gallons (144,000 liters) of fuel when it ran off the runway in Louisville and crashed into nearby buildings.
The explosion destroyed at least two nearby buildings, including an oil recycling company. Residents were initially ordered to stay indoors within a five-mile radius of the airport due to the risk of further explosions and air pollution, but this radius was later reduced to one mile.
All flight departures for Tuesday night have been cancelled, according to an announcement from the airport on X.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the plane went down at about 5:15 p.m. while en route to Honolulu.
@flightradar24 replay of probable UPS MD-11 cargo plane flight 5X2976 involved in a crash immediately after takeoff from #Louisville #SDF airport
Time stamp matches, flight ends in area where helicopters currently circling https://t.co/64tBCtbMHw pic.twitter.com/NNBNjUUi5C
— WindyCity Weather and News (@WindyCityWxMan) November 4, 2025
The aircraft had “three crew members,” UPS said in a press release.
UPS has been notified of an incident/accident involving one of our aircraft in Louisville, KY. Updates will be posted on https://t.co/Dxc8a22rWP as they become available.
— UPS News (@UPS_News) November 4, 2025
Louisville Police responded immediately to reports of a plane crash near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. In a statement on social media, Louisville Metropolitan Police said there were reports of injuries without providing further details.
Amateur video, broadcast by local television station WLKY, shows the left engine on fire while the MD-11 was still taxiing on the runway and trying to take off before exploding, causing a huge fire and plume of smoke.
– TRAGIC CARGO PLANE ACCIDENT IN KENTUCKY
A UPS McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from the UPS Worldport hub at Muhammad Ali International Airport in #Louisville, #Kentucky.
The incident triggered a massive explosion and fire that… pic.twitter.com/AgRT3zX43x
— Maimunka News (@MaimunkaNews) November 5, 2025
20251104 LOUISVILLE KY
UPS Plane Crash Near Lousivlle Airport pic.twitter.com/EuVbKkU5co— Robert Waloven (@comlabman) November 4, 2025
The plane came to an end nearly 5 kilometers from the airport, according to police.
– A McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo aircraft, operating as UPS Flight 2976, crashed shortly after takeoff from the UPS Worldport hub at Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky.
The incident triggered a massive explosion and fire that engulfed multiple… pic.twitter.com/Ry7Tgn7Yh9
— The Informant (@theinformant_x) November 4, 2025
Aerial footage from local TV network helicopters shows that after the crash, a fire spread hundreds of meters across an area where hangars and parking spaces are located, with emergency and first aid vehicles visible a short distance away.
“At this stage, we think the main affected area is that (where the headquarters of) two companies are located,” according to the governor, Beshear.