UPS plane crash: Investigators Thursday found the ‘black box’ of a UPS cargo plane that crashed near the Louisville, Kentucky, airport amid officials gathering information to determine the exact cause of the tragedy.
The plane crashed soon after clearing the fence at the end of the runway on takeoff and was immediately engulfed in a fireball. Even two days after the crash, officials are still searching the charred site for victims.
The airport has now reopened, but the runway where the plane crashed is likely to remain closed for about 10 days.
A video of the plane crash, which was captured on Dash cam, has gone viral on social media platforms.
Read also | UPS plane crash update: Multiple fatalities reported during investigation
UPS plane crash death toll
Authorities said the death toll from the plane crash had risen to 12, with some people on the ground injured.
“I am deeply saddened to share that the death toll has risen to 12, with several people still missing,” Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said in a post on X.
He added that no one should have to face the tragedy alone. “Please take a moment to hug your loved ones and check on your neighbors. We will continue to provide resources and support to everyone affected by this heartbreaking event.”
Read also | Video captures the exact moment a UPS cargo plane burst into flames in Louisville
Is the black box intact?
At the first briefing after the tragedy, Todd Inman, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board, said the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were made to withstand the impact of the crash and intense heat from the fires and appeared to be intact when they were found.
“We feel comfortable that once we get it to our lab in (Washington) DC, we’ll be able to get a good overview of actionable data, and that will be another point of information that will really help us understand what happened,” Inman told reporters.
Smoke and flames rise as a UPS cargo plane crashes in Louisville, Kentucky, US on November 4, 2025, in this screenshot taken from a social media video.
About the UPS cargo plane and crew
— The aircraft was a wide-body jet and was a 34-year-old MD-11 freighter.
— It was bound for Honolulu and was fully loaded with fuel.
— There were three crew members on board.
— The aircraft has three engines, one mounted on each wing and the other on the tail surface.
“The plane hit several structures just behind the airport property,” Inman said. He added that a large cloud of fire erupted around the plane’s left wing and one of its three engines separated from that wing.
A satellite image shows Muhammad Ali International Airport after the crash of a UPS cargo plane in Louisville, Kentucky, USA on November 5, 2025. Read also | Air India plane crash: Man who lost mother sues Boeing in US federal court
What does the expert say?
The AP, citing aviation lawyer Pablo Rojas, said the video indicated the plane was trying to gain altitude as flames shot along its left side.
“There’s very little to contain the flames, and really the plane itself behaves almost like a bomb because of the amount of fuel,” Rojas said.
How long will it take to complete the query?
Preliminary reports reportedly take 30 days and full investigations 12 to 24 months. As part of the full investigation, officials are also making recommendations on how to avoid similar incidents.
The governor declares a state of emergency
Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency in Kentucky and opened a relief fund to help those affected.
“It is impossible to describe the devastation from yesterday’s fatal plane crash. I am heartbroken. My prayers are with all those affected and I promise we will be there in the hours, days and weeks ahead. We will get through this together. We love you Louisville,” said Andy Beshear on X.
