Louisville, Kentucky, November 10, 2025
All victims of the tragic UPS cargo plane crash near Louisville’s airport have been identified, as confirmed by Mayor Craig Greenberg. The incident involved a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft that experienced a fire and engine separation shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of three crew members and eleven individuals on the ground, including a young child. The FAA has grounded all MD-11 aircraft pending inspections, while the NTSB investigates the crash’s cause to prevent future tragedies.
Louisville, Kentucky
All 14 victims of the UPS cargo plane crash near Louisville’s airport have been identified, with no individuals currently unaccounted for, according to Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg.
The crash occurred on November 4, 2025, when a UPS Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft, Flight 2976, experienced a major fire and engine separation shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. The plane was en route to Honolulu, Hawaii, and crashed into nearby businesses, resulting in the deaths of all three crew members and eleven individuals on the ground, including a 3-year-old child. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the cause of the accident.
In response to the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily grounded all MD-11 aircraft pending further inspections. Both UPS and FedEx have voluntarily grounded their MD-11 fleets as a precautionary measure. The MD-11 comprises approximately 9% of UPS’s fleet and 4% of FedEx’s. The FAA anticipates requiring comprehensive engine and pylon inspections before flights can resume, as the defect could compromise flight safety. Boeing, which acquired the MD-11 program via its 1997 merger with McDonnell Douglas, supports the FAA’s directive. FedEx is implementing contingency plans to minimize service disruption, while the NTSB continues its investigation without issuing conclusions yet.
The NTSB has recovered and successfully extracted audio data from the black boxes of the crashed aircraft. Despite severe fire damage, both the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) yielded usable data. The CVR contained over two hours of good-quality cockpit audio, including the final 25 seconds of the flight where an alarm was heard and the crew attempted to control the aircraft. The NTSB emphasized that the audio will only be publicly released once the formal investigation concludes. The data extraction was conducted at the NTSB’s vehicle recorder lab in Washington, where specialists inspected the CVR’s crash-protected memory. This recovery is vital for understanding the crash’s cause and preventing future incidents, underscoring the resilience and value of modern flight recorders.
The identities of the victims have been confirmed, and the Jefferson County coroner is working to release their names to the public as soon as possible. The community continues to mourn the loss of the victims, and support services are being provided to those affected by the tragedy.
FAQ
What caused the UPS cargo plane crash near Louisville’s airport?
The crash occurred when a UPS Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft, Flight 2976, experienced a major fire and engine separation shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. The plane was en route to Honolulu, Hawaii, and crashed into nearby businesses, resulting in the deaths of all three crew members and eleven individuals on the ground, including a 3-year-old child. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the cause of the accident.
How many people were on board the UPS cargo plane during the crash?
The aircraft was carrying three crew members at the time of the crash.
How many people were on the ground during the UPS cargo plane crash?
Eleven individuals on the ground were killed in the crash, including a 3-year-old child.
What actions have been taken in response to the UPS cargo plane crash?
In response to the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily grounded all MD-11 aircraft pending further inspections. Both UPS and FedEx have voluntarily grounded their MD-11 fleets as a precautionary measure. The FAA anticipates requiring comprehensive engine and pylon inspections before flights can resume, as the defect could compromise flight safety. Boeing, which acquired the MD-11 program via its 1997 merger with McDonnell Douglas, supports the FAA’s directive. FedEx is implementing contingency plans to minimize service disruption, while the NTSB continues its investigation without issuing conclusions yet.
Have the victims of the UPS cargo plane crash been identified?
Yes, all 14 victims of the UPS cargo plane crash near Louisville’s airport have been identified, with no individuals currently unaccounted for, according to Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. The Jefferson County coroner is working to release their names to the public as soon as possible.
Key Features of the UPS Cargo Plane Crash Near Louisville’s Airport
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Involved | McDonnell Douglas MD-11 |
| Flight Number | Flight 2976 |
| Departure Airport | Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport |
| Destination Airport | Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Number of Crew Members | 3 |
| Number of Passengers | 0 |
| Number of Ground Fatalities | 11 |
| Number of Ground Injuries | 15 |
| Cause of Crash | Engine separation and major fire shortly after takeoff |
| Investigation Lead | National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) |
| FAA Action | Temporarily grounded all MD-11 aircraft pending further inspections |
| UPS and FedEx Response | Voluntarily grounded their MD-11 fleets as a precautionary measure |
| Boeing’s Role | Supports the FAA’s directive regarding MD-11 inspections |
| Community Response | Ongoing support services for those affected by the tragedy |
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