At least nine people have been killed and several others injured after a cargo aircraft operated by American company UPS crashed during take-off from Louisville International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, around 5:15 p.m. local time. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11F went down shortly after departure, striking several nearby buildings before bursting into flames.
According to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, the aircraft hit two business properties located near the airport — Kentucky Petroleum Recycling, which was struck directly, and Grade A Auto Parts. The blaze spread to multiple structures, prompting a large-scale firefighting operation to prevent further damage.
Due to the risk of explosions and potential air contamination, residents of nearby neighborhoods were instructed to remain indoors. The airport temporarily suspended all operations, but the runway reopened for flights on Wednesday, November 5.
By Wednesday, nine fatalities had been confirmed, though local authorities warned the death toll could rise. It remains unclear whether the three crew members on board are among the victims, as they are presumed dead. At least eleven people were injured, while sixteen families have reported missing relatives.
Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neal described the situation as extremely hazardous due to the large amount of fuel that had leaked from the aircraft. The MD-11F reportedly carried about 144,000 liters of kerosene at the time of the crash, as it was preparing for a more than 6,900-kilometer flight to Hawaii.
According to available records, the aircraft, registered N259UP (serial number 48417), was the 12th MD-11 to roll off the Long Beach production line. It was originally ordered by Thai Airways International on June 1, 1988, and delivered on July 19, 1991, making it 34.3 years old at the time of the accident. It was powered by three General Electric CF6 engines, with a maximum takeoff weight of 273,294 kilograms.
The aircraft was converted from passenger to freighter configuration in 2006 (with standard cargo doors installed) and entered service with UPS on April 30, 2007, where it remained active until the day of the crash. Its most recent base of operations was Louisville International Airport, the core hub of UPS’s global Worldport network.
Data from ch-aviation shows that the aircraft underwent two recorded maintenance checks this year — the first from May 23 to 27, 2025, at UPS Airlines’ MRO facility in Louisville, and the second from September 3 to October 19, 2025, at ST Aerospace in San Antonio.
The cause of the crash remains unknown. Preliminary information indicates the aircraft reached an altitude of about 175 feet (53 meters) before rapidly losing height and crashing. Videos circulating on social media appear to show the left wing engulfed in flames moments before impact.
The investigation is being led by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which will determine the circumstances that led to the tragedy. So far, there are no indications that the aircraft was carrying hazardous materials or cargo that could have caused additional environmental contamination.
