Last Updated on 1 week ago by Vijay Kumar
A tragic accident struck Louisville late Tuesday night when a United Parcel Service (UPS) cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. 
According to verified reports from federal and local authorities, the McDonnell Douglas MD-11F aircraft, identified as tail number N259UP, was en route to Honolulu when it experienced catastrophic failure during takeoff. Surveillance footage and eyewitnesses confirmed that the aircraft’s left engine detached moments before lift-off, causing a massive fire on the left wing and leading to the crash just beyond the runway area.
Officials have confirmed that at least 12 people lost their lives, including the flight crew and several individuals on the ground. Dozens more sustained injuries, and rescue operations continued throughout the night as emergency teams searched through the debris field stretching nearly half a mile south of the airport. Louisville’s mayor has declared a local state of emergency, and nearby residents have been advised to remain cautious as environmental teams assess air and water safety around the crash zone.
In response to the tragedy, UPS announced the immediate suspension of sorting operations at its Worldport facility, the company’s largest global air logistics hub located in Louisville. The temporary shutdown is expected to cause ripple effects across national and international delivery networks, potentially delaying shipments worldwide. “Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved. We are committed to the safety of our employees, our customers, and the communities we serve,” UPS said in an official statement.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken charge of the investigation, working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local authorities. Investigators have recovered both the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, commonly known as black boxes, and are analyzing the wreckage to determine the exact cause of the engine separation and subsequent fire. Preliminary findings suggest that the left engine failure triggered the chain of events that led to the fatal crash, though the final report will take months to complete.
UPS confirmed that no hazardous materials were on board; however, the aircraft was fully fueled for a long-haul flight to Hawaii, which intensified the explosion and fire upon impact. Fire crews battled the blaze for hours before bringing it under control. Several nearby warehouses and industrial buildings sustained significant damage from the explosion.
Louisville officials, in collaboration with federal emergency teams, continue to coordinate recovery and support efforts for victims’ families. UPS has set up a toll-free helpline — 800-631-0604 — for relatives seeking information about those affected by the incident.
We will release more facts as they become available at https://t.co/8Y3csuvvgZ pic.twitter.com/qfbiACQ3vY
— UPS (@UPS) November 5, 2025
While the airport has resumed limited operations, UPS’s full air hub remains shut down as safety assessments and structural inspections continue. The disaster has drawn national attention, underscoring the risks of cargo aviation and the immense role Louisville plays in global logistics. As the NTSB’s investigation unfolds, both the aviation community and UPS employees worldwide are mourning the loss and awaiting answers about what caused this devastating crash.
My name is Vijay Kumar. I work as content writer and founder of this website. I am studying BSC IT. I has been writing content since 2022. I also learn about journalism.
