The black boxes from the Louisville crash of UPS Flight 2976 are now in investigators’ hands
Federal investigators have recovered both flight recorders from UPS Flight 2976, the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo aircraft that crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on November 4, 2025.
According to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Todd Inman, the devices — the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder — were located amid the wreckage and appear to have withstood extreme heat damage.
“We have identified the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder. As you can imagine, they suffered some heat — not intrusion, but heat around them. These recorders are built for that,” Inman said during a news briefing. “Once they arrive at our lab in Washington, D.C., we expect to retrieve a good amount of usable data, which will provide critical insight into what transpired in the moments leading up to the crash.”
Inman noted that video evidence has been instrumental in shaping the investigation’s direction.
One widely circulated video shows the plane’s left engine detaching from the wing during takeoff, moments before the aircraft lost altitude and exploded upon impact in an industrial area near Grade Lane and Fern Valley Road.
“This and other videos, combined with physical evidence from the scene, are proving to be invaluable,” Inman added. “They help our team focus on the most relevant aspects of the investigation as we move forward.”
Authorities have confirmed nine fatalities and sixteen people still unaccounted for, with search and recovery efforts continuing.
Officials warn that the death toll may rise as crews work through debris and fire-damaged structures.
A Reunification Center has been established at 2911 Taylor Boulevard for families awaiting news, while the shelter-in-place order has been reduced to a quarter-mile radius surrounding the crash site.
Airport officials report that one runway has reopened, though Runway 17R/35L will remain closed until November 15, causing ongoing flight delays.
Meanwhile, Louisville Metro Police have issued warnings about scammers targeting families of victims, falsely claiming to have information about missing loved ones in exchange for money.
Authorities urge residents to report such incidents immediately to LMPD at (502) 574-LMPD (5673) and stress that no legitimate agency will ever demand payment for information.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed condolences to those affected, stating,
“Please pray for the pilots, crew, and everyone impacted by this terrible tragedy. We will share updates as more information becomes available.”
The NTSB continues to lead the investigation into the cause of the crash, which occurred shortly after Flight 2976 departed for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.
