Multiple people were injured Tuesday evening after a UPS cargo plane tragically crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) in Kentucky, sending plumes of thick black smoke into the sky and triggering a massive emergency response from local, state, and federal authorities.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft—identified as UPS Flight 2976—went down at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time, just minutes after departing from the Louisville airport. The plane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, was scheduled to make a long-distance flight to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii, but instead, its journey was cut short under tragic circumstances.
Witnesses near the scene described hearing a loud explosion followed by a series of smaller blasts as the aircraft crashed in an area not far from UPS Worldport, the company’s massive global air logistics hub. The Louisville Metro Police Department confirmed that multiple agencies, including fire and rescue units, airport emergency services, and hazardous material teams, had responded swiftly to the scene. Authorities reported that several individuals were injured, though it remains unclear whether there were any fatalities among the crew or on the ground.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), police described the crash site as an “active scene with fire and debris,” urging residents to stay away from the area for their own safety. “This is an active and dangerous situation,” the message read. “Firefighters are working to contain the blaze, and investigators are assessing the extent of the damage.”
As emergency teams worked through the chaos, an emergency shelter-in-place alert was issued for all areas within a five-mile radius of the airport, warning residents to remain indoors due to concerns about possible toxic fumes and debris. In the meantime, Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport confirmed that its airfield had been temporarily closed, grounding all flights until further notice as safety crews cleared the area and assessed potential hazards.
Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced that they would be conducting a joint investigation, with the NTSB taking the lead to determine the cause of the accident. Officials noted that such investigations can take weeks or even months, involving a thorough examination of the aircraft’s black boxes, flight data, maintenance records, and weather conditions at the time of the crash.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear also released a statement shortly after the incident, expressing deep concern and urging the public to keep the affected families and first responders in their prayers. “Kentucky, we are aware of a reported plane crash near Louisville International Airport,” he wrote. “First responders are on-site and working tirelessly. We will share more information as soon as it becomes available. Please pray for the pilots, the crew, and everyone impacted by this tragedy.”
Local residents described scenes of panic and disbelief. Anna McMullen, who lives just seven minutes from the airport, told Fox News Digital that her husband first alerted her when he noticed heavy smoke rising downtown. “He called me and said something was burning—it didn’t look normal,” she recounted. “When I stepped outside, all I could see was black smoke billowing up into the air. It looked like something out of a movie.”
McMullen said the explosions continued for several minutes, suggesting the aircraft might have struck nearby petroleum supply tanks or fuel storage facilities, though officials have not confirmed that detail. “We’ve lived here for 25 years and never seen a UPS plane crash,” she said, her voice shaking. “The sun has set, but the smoke still hangs thick in the air. You can still hear explosions echoing from the crash site—it’s horrifying.”
She also mentioned that, in her neighborhood, UPS planes are a constant presence, especially during late afternoon and early evening hours. “We’re used to seeing those planes come and go every day, loaded before takeoff, flying over our homes like clockwork,” she explained. “But tonight everything feels different—eerie and unreal.”
At the time of reporting, UPS had not released an official statement and did not immediately respond to requests for comment from FOX Business. Ford, which also operates nearby facilities, likewise had no immediate comment. Authorities continued to urge patience and caution as they worked to secure the area, gather evidence, and account for everyone involved.
What began as a routine cargo flight on a quiet Tuesday afternoon has turned into a devastating event that has shaken the Louisville community and drawn national attention. As emergency lights flash across the night sky and smoke continues to rise above the airport, the city waits anxiously for answers—hoping that the coming investigation will reveal what went wrong and bring comfort to those who are suffering in its aftermath.