A UPS cargo plane carrying an estimated 280,000 gallons of fuel crashed and erupted in flames near a runway at a major U.S. logistics hub, prompting a massive emergency response and airport closure.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11, operating as Flight 2976, was departing Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) in Kentucky on November 5, 2025, bound for Hawaii when it veered off course and crashed.
Thick black smoke enveloped the area following the crash and immediate fire. Authorities ordered a temporary closure of the airport.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg underscored the extreme danger, telling local media the aircraft carried an approximate 280,000 gallons (1,060,000 liters) of fuel. This quantity contributed to the intensity of the blaze.
Multiple injuries were reported as a result of the incident, though officials have not yet confirmed the precise number of those affected.
Residents living north of the airport, extending towards the Ohio River, were advised by authorities to shelter in place due to the smoke and potential hazards.
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport serves as a critical operational center for UPS, functioning as one of the company’s largest logistics hubs in the United States. Its close proximity to densely populated residential areas heightened safety concerns following the crash.
Emergency crews, including fire and rescue teams, were fully mobilized at the scene. They established a restricted zone around the crash site due to debris and ongoing dangers.
Both the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have initiated investigations into the cause of the crash.