UPS cargo-plane crash near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (Kentucky)

What happened

A cargo aircraft operated by UPS crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on 4 November 2025.
The aircraft was a McDonnell Douglas MD‑11F (a three-engine freighter) and it was bound for Honolulu, Hawaii.
The crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. local time.
The plane carried a large fuel load (because the route was long) and one wing/engine appears to have shown fire just after takeoff.

Casualties & damage

At least "7 people are confirmed dead".
At least "11 others were injured", some with “very significant” injuries.
Among the dead: three crew members on board the aircraft, and several people on the ground (at least 4 on the ground) in nearby buildings were killed.
Two nearby businesses were struck: a petroleum recycling facility and an auto-parts store, with employees unaccounted for.
A “shelter-in-place” order was issued for a radius around the airport due to fire, debris and smoke.

Investigation & context

The crash site is still active; the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating. ([ABC News][4])
Preliminary observations: the massive fire likely was worsened by the full fuel load, and the plane may not have achieved safe altitude or thrust. ([The Washington Post][6])
The airport houses UPS’s major cargo-hub facility (“Worldport”), so this has broader operational implications. ([The Washington Post][6])

Key quotes

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear described it as a “catastrophic crash” and warned the death toll may rise.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said this is “an incredibly difficult day for our city.”

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