Plane Crashes After Takeoff From Muhammad Ali International, Residents Told to Stay Indoors
A tragic aviation incident unfolded Tuesday evening when a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after taking off from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport, sending a massive fireball and dark smoke into the sky.
Fire and Emergency Crews Rush to the Scene
The crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. local time, just minutes after departure. According to witnesses, a loud explosion shook nearby neighborhoods, followed by a thick column of smoke visible for miles around the airport.
The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) confirmed that multiple emergency response teams — including fire departments, airport rescue units, and local police — immediately arrived at the crash site.
Officials described the area as covered in fire and debris, leading authorities to issue a shelter-in-place order for everyone within a five-mile radius of the airport.
“A shelter-in-place order has been issued for all locations within 5 miles of the airport,”
the LMPD posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Authorities have confirmed that injuries were reported, but the number of victims and their current conditions have not yet been released. It also remains unclear how many crew members were on board the aircraft at the time of the crash.
Details About the Aircraft
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the plane involved was UPS Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo jet operating from Louisville to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“UPS Flight 2976 crashed around 5:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Nov. 4, after departing from Louisville,”
the FAA confirmed in a statement.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash, while the FAA and UPS are assisting in data collection and site analysis.
UPS confirmed that the aircraft belonged to their fleet and that the company is “working closely with local and federal authorities to understand what happened.”
Airport Operations Suspended
In the aftermath, Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport temporarily closed the entire airfield as emergency crews fought the flames and secured the crash zone.
“The airfield is closed at this time due to an aircraft incident. Please avoid the area and follow updates from official channels,”
airport officials announced on X.
All incoming and outgoing flights were suspended while investigators assessed potential risks and began recovery efforts at the site.
Investigation and Community Impact
The NTSB is expected to review flight data recorders, cockpit communications, and the aircraft’s maintenance records.
Witnesses told reporters that the plane appeared to struggle with altitude moments before impact, though no official cause has been confirmed.
As emergency teams continue working through the night, Louisville residents remain under a shelter-in-place alert until the area is declared safe.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available from the FAA, NTSB, and local authorities.
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