A UPS plane crashes near Louisville — police say multiple people are injured PSSSS
A UPS plane crashes near Louisville — police say multiple people are injured
At least 12 dead after engine separated from plane during takeoff in UPS crash at Louisville airport: Officials
The death toll may rise as officials search for additional victims.
At least 12 people are dead after the left engine separated from a UPS plane when departing Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday and it crashed in a ball of flames, authorities said.
The aircraft's three crew members and nine others who have not yet been identified are among the deceased, according to Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg.
Gov. Andy Beshear said at a press briefing earlier Wednesday that one of the victims is believed to be a young child, "which makes it all the harder."
The coroner is at the scene attempting to determine the identities of the victims, but Beshear said that will be "a little more difficult" due to the condition of the bodies.
Two individuals who were hospitalized still remain in critical condition, Beshear said.
Beshear, accompanied by Greenberg and Congressman Morgan McGarvey, visited the crash site on Wednesday, with McGarvey saying it was "like a scene out of a 'Terminator' movie."
"The smells, the sights. These are things that are not going to escape us when we close our eyes tonight," McGarvey said.
Greenberg said earlier in the day -- when the death count reached nine -- that he expected it to rise.
"There are no words that I can provide to any family members that are searching for information about someone that they may believe might have been near the scene of the crash that they haven't heard from yet," Greenberg told ABC News Live on Wednesday.
A "very large field of debris" still remains at the site of the crash as officials try to "find any other victims as soon as we possibly can," Greenberg said.
During a briefing on Wednesday, the National Transportation Safety Board said the plane's black boxes have been recovered and they will be sent to Washington, D.C., for analysis.
While a probable cause of the crash was not revealed, the NTSB said the plane's left engine detached after a "large plume of fire" erupted from the left wing.
"The plane lifted off and gained enough altitude to clear the fence at the end of runway 17R. Shortly after clearing that fence, it made impact with structures and the terrain off of the airport property," according to NTSB board member Todd Inman.
Beshear declared a state of emergency on Wednesday to aid in the response to the plane crash. He said he believes the fatality count will grow to at least one more victim.
University of Louisville Health said it received 15 patients in the airport incident, two of whom were in critical condition in a burn center.
"Louisville looked apocalyptic last night," McGarvey said on Wednesday.
Search and recovery efforts will continue for "at least a week or longer," Okolona Fire Protection District Chief Mark Little said on Wednesday.
Video captured the moment the plane -- loaded up with thousands of gallons of fuel for a long-distance flight to Hawaii -- crashed, resulting in a large fireball.
Two businesses on the ground were impacted by the crash, Beshear said.
One business, Kentucky Petroleum Recycling, appears to have been "hit pretty directly," while another business, Grade A Auto Parts, was also impacted, Beshear said. Two employees from Grade A Auto Parts were unaccounted for, he said.
"It may be some time before we can account for everyone or know that no one else was on the grounds," Beshear said.
Jefferson County Public Schools said all schools will be closed on Wednesday due to a shelter-in-place order, but are expected to open on Thursday after inspections confirmed the water and air quality were safe.
UPS Flight 2976 crashed around 5:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter plane was headed to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, the agency said.
The plane crashed approximately 3 miles south of the airfield, according to officer Jonathan Biven with the Louisville Regional Airport Authority.
Members of the National Transportation Safety Board arrived to the crash site on Wednesday and will "analyze every bit of what happened," McGarvey said.
CCTV security coverage showed the "engine detaching from the wing during the takeoff roll," Inman said.
The NTSB will be on the scene "for at least a week," as the debris from the crash covers half a mile, Inman said. The FBI is also assisting in the investigation, the NTSB said.
The NTSB did not reveal when they will release a preliminary report on the crash.
The plane was carrying approximately 220,000 pounds of jet fuel, which is about 38,000 gallons, officials said.
The airport is home to UPS Worldport, the company's massive package handling facility, which will remain closed on Wednesday.
"Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved," the company said in a statement. "UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, our customers and the communities we serve. This is particularly true in Louisville, home to our airline and thousands of UPSers."
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
The airport reopened at about 8 a.m. Wednesday.
Authorities said they expect the scene to be active for the next several days.
There wasn't any hazardous cargo on board the plane, according to Beshear.
ABC News' Luke Barr, Sam Sweeney and Ayesha Ali contributed to this report.
What We Know About the UPS Cargo Plane Crash in Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky — Federal investigators and local authorities are continuing to examine the cause of a UPS cargo plane crash at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, which left at least 14 people confirmed dead and several others injured. Officials have moved from rescue to recovery operations as the investigation enters its second full day.
The Crash and Immediate Response
The incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, when a UPS MD-11 aircraft experienced catastrophic failure during takeoff. The plane, bound for Honolulu, Hawaii, was carrying standard freight and approximately 38,000 gallons of jet fuel, according to aviation officials.
Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft struggling to gain altitude before descending near the runway area. Two nearby businesses, Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts, sustained significant structural damage. Emergency crews from Louisville Metro Fire, Kentucky National Guard, and airport emergency services responded within minutes.
Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency Tuesday evening to accelerate deployment of state resources and opened the Kentucky Emergency Relief Fund to assist with funerals, response costs, and rebuilding.
Confirmed Victims and Injuries
UPS has identified the three crew members on board:
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Captain Richard Wartenberg, Independence, Kentucky
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First Officer Lee Truitt
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International Relief Officer Captain Dana Diamond
All three perished in the accident. Authorities have also confirmed additional casualties from the surrounding industrial area. As of Wednesday morning:
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14 fatalities confirmed
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15 people injured, with two in critical condition
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9 individuals remain unaccounted for
Family-assistance and reunification services have been established at the Louisville Metro Police Training Academy on Taylor Boulevard.
The Airport Situation
Operations at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport were temporarily halted following the crash. Two of the airport’s runways have since reopened, but flight delays and cancellations continue. Officials advise travelers to check directly with airlines for updated schedules.
Airport spokesperson Natalie Hughes stated that safety inspections are ongoing:
“Our primary focus remains the well-being of affected families, our employees, and ensuring all runways meet operational safety standards before full reopening.”
Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are leading the investigation. The aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder and flight-data recorder—commonly known as black boxes—have been recovered and transported to a laboratory in Washington, D.C., for analysis.
NTSB officials confirmed that no hazardous materials were listed in the cargo manifest, though the fuel load contributed to extensive secondary fires that complicated initial rescue efforts. Investigators will now focus on mechanical performance, maintenance records, and flight-crew communications leading up to the crash.
According to Flightradar24, the final recorded data from the aircraft showed a ground speed of approximately 184 knots (211 mph) at low altitude. While this information provides context, investigators stress that determining cause will require weeks of technical review.
Local and Federal Response
Dozens of agencies are assisting with site containment and cleanup, including:
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Louisville Metro Police Department
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Louisville Fire and EMS
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Kentucky State Police
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Louisville Emergency Management Agency
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U.S. National Guard units
Governor Beshear emphasized gratitude for first responders, many of whom worked overnight in challenging conditions. “Kentucky stands with every family affected by this tragedy,” he said during a briefing.
Statements from Leaders
Kentucky’s congressional delegation and national leaders offered condolences Tuesday night.
U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell:
“My team and I are closely monitoring developments around the Louisville airport and remain in contact with local, state, and federal authorities. We extend deep thanks to the first responders for their swift and selfless action.”
Senator Rand Paul and Representative Thomas Massie also expressed sympathies, urging residents to follow official updates and avoid speculation until federal investigators release verified findings.
Impact on the Community
Louisville residents described the aftermath as deeply unsettling. While no residential neighborhoods were directly affected, smoke and debris temporarily disrupted nearby traffic routes and air quality. Environmental crews are assessing potential contamination from runoff or burned fuel near the crash site.
City officials have coordinated with Louisville Water Company and environmental agencies to ensure that local water systems remain unaffected. Air monitoring stations have reported safe levels of particulate matter as of Wednesday afternoon.
The tragedy also reverberates through UPS’s global headquarters, which is based in Louisville and serves as one of the world’s largest air-freight hubs. The company released a statement expressing “profound sorrow for the loss of colleagues and community members” and pledged full cooperation with the NTSB investigation.
Transition to Recovery
By late Wednesday, emergency crews had contained all fires and begun debris removal. Investigators are mapping the wreckage field, cataloging evidence, and interviewing airport personnel who witnessed the event.
Governor Beshear noted that while “hopes for additional rescues have ended,” recovery operations will continue through the week to account for those still missing. Counseling and trauma-support teams have been dispatched to assist families and first responders.
The Federal Aviation Administration will issue an interim safety advisory once preliminary findings are available. Until then, all MD-11 aircraft in the UPS fleet are undergoing internal maintenance checks, though there is no current indication of a fleet-wide issue.
Looking Ahead
A full NTSB report—including probable cause and safety recommendations—is expected within 12 to 18 months, consistent with standard investigative timelines. Aviation experts anticipate that lessons from the Louisville crash will inform future safety improvements for cargo-plane operations, especially regarding heavy-fuel loads and takeoff performance.
For the city of Louisville, the focus now turns to supporting families, rebuilding damaged businesses, and honoring those who lost their lives. Local faith communities are planning memorial services in the coming days.
As Governor Beshear concluded in his latest briefing:
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“We have faced floods, storms, and hardship before, but Kentuckians always rise together. We will heal, we will rebuild, and we will remember every life lost with dignity.”
