On Tuesday afternoon, reports surfaced about a UPS aircraft that has gone down near Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport. Social media is abuzz with videos capturing a huge fireball at the scene. Although injuries have been confirmed, details about the number and severity remain unclear.
According to local news outlet WLKY, the incident has garnered significant attention:
Several videos, allegedly depicting the crash at the moment it occurred, are making rounds online (note: some content includes strong language).
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed they have initiated an investigation into the incident:
LMPD said injuries have been reported.
There is a shelter in place issued within a 5-mile radius of the airport. Flames can be seen for miles and there is a lot of debris flying.
WLKY has a crew headed to the scene to gather more information.
No other details have been released. This story will be updated.
Videos are circulating purporting to show the crash as it happened (profanity alert):
🚨 BREAKING: Footage from Louisville International Airport shows UPS cargo plane ON FIRE as it barrels down the runway, and EXPLODES on impact
This is absolutely terrifying.
Keep praying for the crew and any victims on the ground 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/gevLlCkRLI
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) November 4, 2025
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The Federal Aviation Administration has announced they’re investigating:
UPS Flight 2976 crashed around 5:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Nov. 4, after departing from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 was headed to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. The FAA and NTSB will investigate.…
— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) November 4, 2025
The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation and will provide all updates.
This information is preliminary and subject to change.
The plane was reportedly headed to Hawaii:
UPS Flight 2976 crashed just after 5 p.m. local time and was headed to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating the crash along with the National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB will lead the investigation, the FAA said Tuesday.
Louisville Metro Police Department and other agencies are responding to the reported plane crash, LMPD said in an X post. Injuries have been reported, police said.
A massive plume of black smoke is rising not far from the tarmac at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, videos from CNN affiliate WAVE show.
Anyone have an idea what’s going on at UPS or the airport? Massive smoke cloud going down 65S pic.twitter.com/70jL95KExP
— Ryan L Smith (@ryanlsmith_) November 4, 2025
The aircraft type was one often used for cargo:
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11F is a freight transport aircraft manufactured originally by McDonnell Douglas and later by Boeing. The aircraft is primarily flown by FedEx Express, Lufthansa Cargo and UPS Airlines for cargo.
RedState will keep you updated as events warrant on this breaking story.
