A UPS cargo plane crashed near Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky, killing at least seven and injuring eleven. Authorities are investigating the cause of the tragic accident that ignited massive fires and disrupted airport operations.

A routine cargo flight turned into a horrifying tragedy near Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky, on the morning of Tuesday, November 4, 2025. A UPS cargo plane crashed in an accident that claimed the lives of at least seven people and injured eleven others, with official warnings that the death toll might rise as the numbers remain unconfirmed.

The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F cargo plane carrying three crew members, was en route from Louisville to Daniel K. Inoue International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii. Shortly after takeoff around 5:15 PM local time, the plane failed to remain airborne and crashed into two commercial buildings adjacent to the airport.

The impact struck both “Kentucky Petroleum Recycling” and “Grade A Auto Parts,” businesses specializing in automotive components, igniting a massive fire resulting from the substantial amount of fuel the aircraft was carrying. This led to dense black smoke spreading across the area’s skyline, while firefighting teams consisting of over 100 firefighters rushed to control the flames.

The scale of the disaster prompted the temporary closure of Muhammad Ali International Airport, with residents in surrounding areas instructed to remain indoors as a precautionary measure. Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that the plane was not carrying any hazardous materials, alleviating concerns about significant environmental pollution despite the human tragedy.

One of the affected companies announced that two of its employees were missing, while the fate of some customers who might have been at the accident site remains unknown. Emergency teams continue to search through debris scattered across a wide area, hoping to find survivors. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken over the investigation into the accident to determine its exact causes, in a heartbreaking scene reminiscent of major aviation disasters, raising new questions about aviation safety in populated areas near airports.