UPS MD-11 Crashes During Takeoff from Louisville

‍LOUISVILLE — UPS (5X) Flight 2976 crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) after attempting to take off from the airport’s Runway 17R-35L, bound for Honolulu, Hawaii.

With a scheduled departure at 3 PM local time, Flight 2976 was running approximately two hours late at the time of pushback.The weather in Louisville was favorable: overcast with sun, an ambient temperature of 18 degrees Celsius, or 64 degrees Fahrenheit, 43% humidity, wind at 7 miles per hour, 11 kilometres per hour, 6 knots from the southeast, and a visibility of 16kilometres.

The 5X McDonnell Douglas MD-11F (N259UP) lined up on Louisville’s runway one seven right at 5:12pm local time, and proceeded down the runway. Video footage from an airport worker shows the flight attempting to lift off the runway, and struggling to do so, with an immense fire emanating from the left wing in the region of engine number one.

What is currently unclear is what caused the fire, but media coverage shows engine one, under the left wing, to have separated completely. Specifically, media helicopters captured photos of the aircraft’s forward left engine cowling sitting to the right (west) of the runway after having collided with PAPI lights. The engine itself was found mangled next to the runway.

What caused it to separate is unknown at this time. The aircraft was carrying 38,000 gallons of jet fuel at the time of the crash.

The plane is shown barely climbing, before sinking again, clipping a building as it went down, before losing its left wing and rolling over, impacting the ground in a fireball just beyond the end of the runway, at a registered speed of 184 knots (211miles per hour, 340 kilometres per hour), according to available flight data.

The crash site stretches over hundreds of meters including a warehouse, a trailer park, and a car park. The many tons of fuel have made it difficult to put the fire out, but emergency services were quick to respond to the scene.

The accident at SDF marks the deadliest accident in 5X's history and is the first recorded crash of a UPS-owned MD-11. The MD-11 model overall has had a total of 10 crashes since its introduction, though this is the first involving the American cargo airline, one of the largest worldwide in terms of freight volume flown.

Statements from KY Gov, UPS, Boeing, NTSB 

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated in a press conference that three fatalities were initially confirmed along with 11 injuries; however, it was not yet clear if the fatalities were on the ground or on board. An 11 MP ET update indicated that there were seven fatalities—three on board and four on the ground—11 injuries, and 2 missing.

Upon news of the crash, 5X stated the following, “At approximately 5:20 PM ET [5:15 PM ET according to SDF] tonight [November 4, 2025], UPS flight 2976 from Louisville, KY to Honolulu, an MD-11 with three crew members onboard, was involved in an accident. At this time, we have not confirmed any injuries/casualties."

The airline continued, "UPS will release additional information as it becomes available. Still, the National Transportation Safety Board [NTSB] is in charge of the investigation and will be the primary source of information about the official investigation.”

Boeing also stated that it was "following the news out of Louisville regarding UPS flight 2976. Our concern is for the safety and well-being of all those affected. We stand ready to support our customer and have offered technical assistance to the NTSB.”

Finally, the NTSB took to X to state that it was "launching a go-team to investigate Tuesday’s crash of a UPS MD-11 cargo aircraft, Flight 2976 near Louisville, Kentucky. NTSB Board Member Todd Inman will serve as the on-scene spokesperson. The investigative team is scheduled to arrive in Kentucky tomorrow.A media briefing will be held tomorrow, with the time and location to be announced via this feed."

The Aircraft

The accident flight was operated by November two five nine Uniform Papa, a 34-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD-11. Delivered on June 15, 1991, it was originally built for Thai Airways (TG), where it operated as Hotel Sierra, Tango Mike Echo, named “Pathum Wan”, and was the 20th MD-11 built.

After a nearly 15-year tenure with the Thai flag carrier, MD-11 HS-TME was converted to a freighter in 2006 and delivered to UPS. It was re-registered N259UP. The type entered service with 5X and led a seemingly uneventful career until the accident flight.

The aircraft had been operating services regularly and frequently in the days and weeks before the accident flight, save for a short period on the ground in Ontario, California, between October 31, and November 3, 2025; the day before the crash.

On the day of the accident, the aircraft had already flown a round trip to Baltimore, Maryland, without incident. The aircraft bears manufacturer serial number 48417 and is MD-11 line number 467.

Previous UPS Airlines Incidents

• September 2010: UPS Flight 6, a Boeing 747-400F, experienced an in-flight cargo fire and crashed near Dubai. Both crew members died—this was 5X’s first fatal crash.
• August 2013: An Airbus A300-600F, after departing from SDF, crashed on approach to Birmingham, Alabama, at too low an altitude, killing both crew. Fatigue and aircraft instability were cited as factors.​
• Runway and Other Incidents:
  • January 1985: Swearingen SA227AT overran the runway in Kentucky. The plane was destroyed, but crew survived.
  • February 2006: A DC-8-71F experienced a cargo fire and was destroyed on the ground in Philadelphia; crew evacuated safely.
  • June 2016: UPS MD-11F overran the runway and collapsed its nose gear during a rejected takeoff in Seoul-Incheon; plane was written off but all four crew survived.​

All SDF departing flights scheduled for tonight, November 4 have been cancelled. Please check directly with your airline for the latest updates, rebooking options, and flight status information.

November 5 Update

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky has reopened but multiple taxiways remain closed after yesterday's Flight 2976 crash. We are also corroborating news that 5X has grounded its entire MD-11 fleet for the time being and are seeing reports from CNN that the death toll has risen to 9.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is scheduled to give an update on the investigation into the crash this morning at 11:30 a.m. ET.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.