What We Know: UPS MD-11 Accident

Federal teams are on the scene after the cargo jet went down shortly after takeoff Tuesday from Louisville, Kentucky.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, November 05, 2025 at 04:26 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Flames and smoke rise after a UPS cargo jet crashed shortly after takeoff on Tuesday, November 4, in Louisville, Kentucky. [Credit: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy/via X]

Key Takeaways:

A UPS MD-11 cargo jet, Flight 2976, crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday night, resulting in preliminary reports of at least nine fatalities and 15 injuries.
The crash, captured by multiple videos, showed flames on the left wing and the left engine detaching during takeoff, leading to explosions at an auto yard and petroleum recycling facility.
Federal investigators, including a 28-member NTSB team and FAA support, are on site, have recovered the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, and expect to be on location for at least a week.

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Federal investigators and recovery teams are on the ground in Louisville, Kentucky, searching for both survivors and victims in the crash of a UPS MD-11 on Tuesday night.

According to preliminary reports, as of Wednesday afternoon, authorities say at least nine people were killed and 15 injured when the cargo jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (KSDF).