(NEXSTAR) – A UPS aircraft met with disaster shortly after departing from Louisville, Kentucky, Tuesday evening, igniting a significant blaze, according to officials.
The incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. when UPS Flight 2976 took off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, an FAA representative informed Nexstar. Images captured at the location depicted large flames and a thick plume of black smoke rising into the sky.
UPS confirmed that the flight was en route to Honolulu, carrying three crew members onboard.
Following the crash, the Louisville Metro Police Department issued a shelter-in-place advisory for “all areas within a 5-mile radius of the airport” due to reports about the crash.
Authorities noted there were “injuries reported,” but as of 6:40 p.m. local time, no official confirmation had been provided.
A fireball erupts near airport property after reports of a plane crash at Louisville International Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry) A plume of smoke wafts over airport property after reports of a plane crash at Louisville International Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry) This photo provided by Brad Harvey shows thick, black smoke rising after reports of a plane crash near Louisville International Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (Brad Harvey via AP)
“This remains an active scene with ongoing fire and debris,” the department cautioned on X. “Please keep your distance.”
Aerial video shot by local news station WLKY showed a large swath of buildings ablaze, with lights from emergency vehicles stretching for blocks.
“The situation is serious. Please pray for the families affected,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a statement. “I’m headed to Louisville now.”
It’s not yet clear what caused the plane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, to crash.
the FAA and NTSB will continue to investigate.
This is a developing story.
