A UPS freight plane crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport shortly after takeoff, prompting authorities to issue a shelter-in-place order for areas north of the airport to the Ohio River. The incident involved UPS Flight 2976, an MD-11 aircraft with three crew members onboard, which departed from Louisville, KY, en route to Honolulu. According to UPS, no injuries or casualties have been confirmed at this time.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the crash, with UPS stating it will provide further details as they become available. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11F, a freight transport aircraft manufactured by McDonnell Douglas and later Boeing, is capable of carrying up to 38,000 gallons of fuel, sources noted.
Louisville Metro Police confirmed that multiple agencies are responding to the crash site near the UPS Worldport facility. While injuries were reported, the status of fatalities remains unclear. Authorities described the scene as “active with fire and debris” and urged residents to stay away.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash, which appears to have involved an engine issue during takeoff. The airport is currently closed, with a large plume of smoke visible near the facility. No additional details about the incident have been released at this time.