Multiple people were injured Tuesday evening after a UPS cargo plane crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), sending thick black smoke into the sky and prompting a massive emergency response from local, state, and federal authorities.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the aircraft as UPS Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 scheduled to fly to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii. The plane went down around 5:15 p.m., just minutes after departing Louisville, cutting its journey tragically short.
Witnesses described a loud explosion followed by smaller blasts as the plane crashed near UPS Worldport, the company’s major air logistics hub. Multiple agencies, including fire, rescue, airport emergency teams, and hazardous materials units, responded quickly. Several people were injured, though officials have not confirmed fatalities among the crew or on the ground.
Police described the crash site as an “active scene with fire and debris,” warning residents to stay clear. Emergency teams issued a shelter-in-place alert for all areas within a five-mile radius due to potential toxic fumes and debris. Louisville airport temporarily closed its airfield, grounding flights while crews assessed safety hazards.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct a joint investigation, with the NTSB leading the effort to determine the cause. Such investigations typically take weeks or months and involve analyzing black boxes, flight data, maintenance logs, and weather conditions.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed concern, urging residents to keep the affected families and first responders in their prayers. “First responders are on-site and working tirelessly. Please pray for the pilots, the crew, and everyone impacted by this tragedy,” he said.
Local residents described the scene as chaotic and surreal. Anna McMullen, who lives seven minutes from the airport, said she saw thick black smoke rising and heard repeated explosions, possibly from fuel storage tanks, though officials have not confirmed that. “We’ve lived here 25 years and never seen a UPS plane crash,” she said. “The sun has set, but the smoke still hangs thick in the air. It’s horrifying.”
UPS had not released an official statement at the time of reporting, and nearby companies like Ford also declined comment. Authorities continue to secure the area, gather evidence, and account for all involved.
What began as a routine cargo flight has turned into a devastating event for Louisville, drawing national attention as investigators work to uncover the cause and provide answers to a shaken community.