At least nine people are dead after a UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded at the company’s global aviation hub in Kentucky, officials said.
The plane crashed at about 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2025, while it was departing for Honolulu from UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, which is about seven miles from downtown Louisville. Three crew members were on board.
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After taking off from the ground, the plane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 made in 1991, crashed into Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts, and exploded, according to the Associated Press.
At least nine people are dead, and several more are injured after the crash, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed during a news conference on Wednesday.
“I don’t know how many victims we’re actually looking for,” Mark Little, chief of the Okolona Fire District in Louisville, said. “That’s one of the issues, and the debris zone is so large. Some of that debris is going to have to be moved and searched underneath. It will take us quite a while.”
Beshear predicted that the death toll would grow, and said 16 families gathered at a reunification center for information about loved ones.
The University of Louisville Hospital reported that it received 15 patients from the crash.
Two people were in the burn unit with critical injuries on Wednesday, and 13 other people were treated and released, according to the hospital.
According to the Associated Press, Beshear didn’t know the status of the crew members who were on the plane, and it’s not clear if they were counted among the dead.
The National Transportation Safety Board has arrived on site with investigators.
UPS released the following statement on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025:
“We are terribly saddened by the accident tonight in Louisville. Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved. UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, our customers and the communities we serve. This is particularly true in Louisville, home to our airline and thousands of UPSers.
We are engaged with the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation of the accident and are staying in close contact with the Federal Aviation Administration. We will work tirelessly with state and local authorities on response efforts.
As a result of the accident, we are halting package sorting operations tonight at Worldport.
Family members seeking information should call 800-631-0604."
UPS
On Wednesday, the company instructed certain employees not to report to work.