A UPS cargo plane crashed on Tuesday, Nov. 4, shortly after takeoff from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport. The accident caused a fire that spread through part of the industrial area near the airport. It quickly spread over several adjacent buildings.
How a UPS Flight Crashed
The aircraft was identified as UPS Flight 2976, an MD-11 cargo jet bound for Honolulu. According to the BBC, it started around 5:15 p.m. The plane gained only a small amount of altitude before it began to descend again, according to initial tracking data.
Initial tracking data indicated that the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 50-53 meters before losing control. Part of the left engine separated during takeoff, sparking a fire along the wing and fuel line, according to initial footage reviewed by investigators.
How many people died in the UPS plane crash
Mayor Craig Greenberg said in his post on X that at least 12 were confirmed dead. Officials also noted that the total could rise as teams continue to go through damaged buildings in the area.
Families also reported their loved ones who had not yet been accounted for. The list includes workers who were inside the enterprises affected by the accidents.
Progress of the investigation into the crash of the UPS flight
State Gov. Andy Behear said the crash happened near Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts, two small industrial businesses. At least eleven people are being treated in hospital.
However, this number may change as the evaluation continues. Emergency crews described sections of the crash zone as unstable, with fuel fires and heat pockets making access to some parts of the area difficult, the BBC reports.
Details of those who died have not yet been released. Identification work with the coroner’s office continues. Authorities also said one of the victims may be a child, but that detail has yet to be formally confirmed, according to USA Today.
Drawing comparisons to a fatal plane crash in 1979
The MD-11 is still operated by several freighters, although the aircraft type has had problems with take-off and landing stability in the past. The plane crash in Kentucky has drawn comparisons to the 1979 crash of American Airlines Flight 191 in Chicago.
The accident claimed the lives of 273 people, including all 258 passengers, 13 crew and two people at the scene, on the Britannica. It still remains one of the deadliest plane crashes in US history.
Investigators found both a flight data recorder and a voice recorder in the cockpit. The devices will be sent to a National Transportation Safety Board laboratory in Washington, DC, where analysis is expected to take several weeks.
For now, the priority remains locating the victims, confirming their identity and supporting the affected families.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in the UPS plane crash?
At least 12 deaths have been confirmed, with the total expected to rise.
Have the victims of the Louisville UPS crash been identified?
Names have not been released as formal identification is still pending.
What type of aircraft was involved in the Kentucky UPS crash?
The aircraft was an MD-11 freighter operated by UPS.
