Tragic UPS Cargo Plane Crash Near Louisville Results in 14 Fatalities

Mon Nov 10 2025 23:20:36 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A UPS cargo plane crash at the Worldport hub in Louisville, Kentucky resulted in a devastating fireball and the deaths of 14 individuals, including three pilots. Investigators are piecing together the timeline and cause of the accident.

On Tuesday, a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff at the company's Worldport hub in Louisville, Kentucky. The incident killed 14 people, including the flight's three pilots. Investigators noted that alarms sounded moments before the crash, and video footage from various angles is being analyzed for insights. Initial reports indicate that the plane's speed reached 210 mph, just 100 feet above ground before falling. Following the accident, litigation has begun against UPS and other parties for alleged negligence.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A UPS cargo plane was nearly airborne when a bell sounded in the cockpit. For the next 25 seconds, the bell rang as the pilots struggled to maintain control of the aircraft, which had reportedly lifted off the runway with its left wing ablaze and missing an engine. In a catastrophic turn of events, the plane crashed to the ground, resulting in a devastating fireball, according to the chief investigator on the scene.

The crash occurred on Tuesday at UPS Worldport, the global aviation hub in Louisville, Kentucky, leading to the tragic death of 14 individuals, including all three pilots aboard the MD-11 aircraft that was en route to Honolulu.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Todd Inman revealed that the cockpit voice recorder captured the alarming sound just 37 seconds after the crew called for takeoff thrust. Investigations are ongoing regarding the cause of the alarm and why the left wing was set ablaze.

Inman indicated it could take months before a transcript of the cockpit recording is available for public review. Jeff Guzzetti, a former federal crash investigator, suggested that the alarm indicated an engine fire.

Investigators Seek Insights from Video Evidence

Dramatic video recordings have surfaced showing the aircraft crashing into nearby businesses while igniting in flames. Footage from various angles—captured by bystanders' phones, vehicle cameras, and security surveillance—will aid investigators in understanding the sequence of events.

Preliminary data suggest the aircraft managed to reach an altitude of only about 100 feet before crashing, having reached a speed of 210 mph shortly before the incident occurred just outside the airport boundaries. Investigators are also examining the wreckage of the left engine, including major components and fan blades found on the airfield.

UPS indicated that no maintenance work took place before the ill-fated flight, suggesting that any operational aspects of the MD-11 may come under scrutiny during investigations.

Litigation and Aftermath

The devastating accident has prompted immediate legal action, with a federal lawsuit filed against UPS by an automotive repair shop that was destroyed in the crash, as well as a local resident hospitalized due to smoke inhalation. The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of UPS and the manufacturers of the aircraft and its engine, seeking unspecified damages for the harm caused.

In light of the tragic events, UPS resumed its operations at the Worldport hub shortly after the incident, signaling a return to some semblance of normalcy amidst ongoing investigations.