UPS Plane Crash in Louisville Leaves Seven Dead, Airport Closed
A UPS cargo plane crashed at Louisville International Airport today, resulting in at least seven fatalities, eleven injuries, and two people missing, prompting a large-scale emergency response and significant disruptions to air travel.
The crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. as the MD-11 aircraft, en route to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii, was taking off. Governor Andy Beshear stated he anticipates the casualty numbers will rise, and confirmed that two employees from a nearby auto shop are currently unaccounted for. Mayor Craig Greenberg added that four of the confirmed deaths were individuals not on board the plane. The aircraft was carrying approximately 38,000 gallons of fuel, contributing to a substantial fire that spread to adjacent facilities, including a recycling center.
Emergency responders are conducting door-to-door searches in the surrounding area to ensure all residents are safe. A shelter-in-place order has been reduced to a one-mile radius around the airport. Officials are urging anyone seeking to reunite with family to avoid hospitals and instead gather at the Family Reunification Area at the Louisville Metro Police Department Training Facility, located at 2911 Taylor Blvd. The airfield is currently closed, and screening at the TSA security checkpoint is suspended; passengers scheduled to travel to or from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) over the next two days should check their flight status. UPS Worldport has halted operations, and Next Day Air sorting has been canceled. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident, and the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation.
Governor Beshear confirmed there was no hazardous material on the plane itself, but cautioned that hazardous materials present at affected businesses will need to be addressed. This incident highlights the inherent risks associated with large-scale cargo operations near populated areas. The NTSB will be the primary source of information moving forward.
