Terrifying moment as UPS cargo plane crashes near Louisville.
A shocking video captures the UPS cargo jet crashing near Louisville airport, sparking massive flames, thick smoke, and chaos.
Louisville, Kentucky: A tragic aviation accident unfolded near the Muhammad Ali International Airport on Thursday afternoon when a UPS Airlines cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff, sending shockwaves through the local community and the aviation world. The aircraft, identified as an MD-11 cargo jet, was reportedly en route from Louisville to Honolulu when disaster struck.
According to early reports, the plane went down just a few miles from the airport, erupting into a fiery explosion that sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene — a thunderous sound followed by a plume of fire visible from miles away. “It was like a bomb went off,” said one local resident who lives near the crash site. It was horrifying.”
A video circulating online captures the exact moment the UPS cargo jet descended and crashed, its impact causing an enormous explosion and sending debris scattering across the nearby area. The footage, though brief, has left viewers stunned by the sheer scale of the incident.
UPS confirmed that three people were on board the aircraft at the time of the crash. While authorities have yet to release details about their condition, reports indicate that emergency responders immediately rushed to the scene. Louisville Metro Police Department, alongside the city’s fire crews and emergency medical teams, cordoned off the area as they battled flames and searched for survivors.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), UPS acknowledged the crash and said the company was “deeply saddened by the incident.” “Our immediate concern is for those on board and their families,” the statement read.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have both launched investigations into the accident. Early indications suggest that the aircraft encountered technical difficulties shortly after takeoff, though officials have not yet confirmed the cause.
Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order within a five-mile radius of the crash site, including the area around Fern Valley Road, as a precaution against potential toxic fumes from the fire. Several nearby businesses and neighborhoods were temporarily evacuated while firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
For Louisville residents, the tragedy struck especially close to home. The city is the primary hub for UPS’s Worldport — one of the world’s largest package-sorting facilities — which handles millions of parcels daily. The crash has momentarily halted some flight operations at the airport as officials assess safety measures and manage the aftermath.
As night fell over Louisville, the glow of the fire finally dimmed, but the sense of shock remained heavy in the air. Families of UPS employees and residents gathered near the cordoned-off area, many praying for those on board. One bystander summed up the city’s mood: “We see these planes every day — it’s part of our skyline. To see one go down like that… it breaks your heart.”