Video shows moment UPS Cargo plane crashes in Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jefferson County) — Dramatic video footage has surfaced showing the moment a UPS cargo aircraft, identified as Flight 2976, crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday, November 4, around 5:15 p.m. local time.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11, operated by United Parcel Service (UPS), was en route to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii, when it went down near Grade Lane and Fern Valley Road, less than two miles from the airport.
The footage shows the aircraft descending rapidly before erupting in a massive explosion upon impact, igniting multiple fires and causing significant damage to several nearby buildings.
Emergency radio communications confirm the plane struck a commercial structure, resulting in a partial building collapse and widespread fire conditions.
Within minutes, the Louisville Fire Department escalated the response to a third alarm, requesting additional firefighting units, hazardous materials teams, and foam suppression trucks to battle the intense flames fueled by aviation fuel.
Crews began search-and-rescue operations inside the damaged building while evacuating nearby structures and securing power lines in the area.
Louisville Metro Police have confirmed that there are victims, though the number and identities have not yet been disclosed.
Aerial footage from local news outlets shows firefighters working amid heavy smoke and debris as large sections of the impacted buildings remain engulfed in flames.
In light of potential hazards from debris and toxic fumes, Louisville authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for all locations within a five-mile radius of the airport.
Residents and businesses are urged to stay indoors and avoid the area to allow emergency crews to operate safely.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control shortly after departure.
Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the crash. The NTSB will lead the investigation and release official updates as more information becomes available.
UPS released a brief statement confirming the incident, stating that the company is cooperating fully with authorities and that its “primary concern is the safety and well-being of our employees and the surrounding community.”
Emergency response teams remain on scene as investigators begin assessing the wreckage and gathering flight data to determine the cause of the crash.
