Crash Overview
A UPS cargo plane crashed at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, killing at least 14 people.
The incident happened around 5:15 p.m. Tuesday when “a UPS MD-11 aircraft suffered a
catastrophic failure during takeoff en route to Honolulu.”
What Witnesses Saw
Witnesses said the plane “struggled to gain altitude before crashing near the runway,”
sparking fires and damaging nearby industrial buildings.
Emergency crews responded quickly, but officials later shifted from rescue to recovery efforts.
Casualties and Response
Authorities confirmed all three crew members died, along with multiple people on the ground,
and “several people still unaccounted for.”
Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency to accelerate aid.
Investigation Ongoing
The NTSB and FAA are leading the investigation, with
“the aircraft’s black boxes recovered for analysis.”
Airport operations remain partially disrupted as inspections continue.