Plane Crashes After Takeoff at Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport — Shelter-in-Place Issued

A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after taking off from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, sending flames and thick black smoke into the air as emergency crews rushed to the scene.

Crash Occurred Minutes After Departure

According to officials, the incident happened around 5:15 p.m. local time, just minutes after the aircraft departed.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion before spotting a massive plume of smoke visible for miles.

The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) confirmed that multiple emergency units — including fire, police, and airport rescue — responded immediately to the fiery wreck.

Authorities described the site as being covered in “fire and debris,” prompting a shelter-in-place order for residents and businesses within a five-mile radius of the airport.

“A shelter-in-place order has been issued for all locations within five miles of the airport,” the LMPD announced on X (formerly Twitter).

Officials confirmed that injuries have been reported, but the number of victims and their conditions remain unknown. It is also unclear how many people were on board at the time of the crash.

Details About the Aircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the aircraft as UPS Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo jet. The plane had departed from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport and was headed to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii.

“UPS Flight 2976 crashed around 5:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Nov. 4, after departing from Louisville,” the FAA said in a statement.
“The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation and provide all updates.”

According to FlightAware, a UPS cargo flight was scheduled to leave Louisville at 5:02 p.m., though it has not yet been confirmed if this was the same aircraft involved in the crash.

UPS issued a statement confirming ownership of the aircraft and expressed that the company is working closely with authorities to assess the situation.

Airport Operations Temporarily Suspended

Following the crash, the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport temporarily closed the entire airfield while emergency crews continued firefighting and recovery operations.

“The airfield is closed at this time due to an aircraft incident. Please avoid the area and follow updates from official channels,” the airport shared on social media.

All inbound and outbound flights were suspended while officials secured the crash area and assessed potential hazards.

Investigation Underway

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation to determine what caused the crash. The FAA and UPS will assist in reviewing flight data, crew communications, and maintenance records.

So far, no official details about the possible cause have been released. However, witnesses stated that the plane appeared to be struggling to gain altitude shortly before going down.

Louisville Residents on Alert

The Louisville community remains on edge as emergency response teams continue operations late into the evening. The shelter-in-place order is expected to stay in effect until air quality and safety conditions are confirmed.

Authorities urge residents to stay indoors and follow updates from official government and airport channels.

A Developing Story

This is an ongoing investigation.
Updates will be provided as new information becomes available from the FAA, NTSB, and Louisville Metro Police Department.