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UPS Cargo Jet Crashes After Louisville Takeoff, Prompting Airfield Closure and Shelter-in-Place

Authorities ordered nearby residents to shelter indoors pending a federal investigation.

Overview

  • The FAA said UPS Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 bound for Honolulu, crashed around 5:15 p.m. local time shortly after departing Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.
  • UPS confirmed the aircraft was theirs and said three crewmembers were on board, while Louisville police reported injuries with numbers and severity not yet released.
  • Louisville officials closed the airfield and shut Grade Lane near Fern Valley Road as fire crews battled a large blaze and debris near the UPS Worldport complex.
  • A shelter-in-place initially set for a five-mile radius around the airport was later extended to all areas north of the airport to the Ohio River.
  • Preliminary tracking data indicated the jet reached roughly 175 feet before descending and losing signal, as the NTSB assumes lead on the investigation with the FAA.