7 dead in Louisville UPS plane crash; fatalities, injuries expected to grow

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) — Seven people are dead, and at least 11 are injured after a UPS plane crashed on Tuesday in Louisville.

The Louisville Metro Police Department said on X

that multiple agencies responded to reports of a plane crash near Fern Valley and Grade Lane.

According to the department, Grade Lane will be closed indefinitely between Stooges and Crittenden.

At 5:51 p.m., Gov. Andy Beshear released a statement saying more information would be released about the crash as it becomes available.

“Kentucky, we are aware of a reported plane crash near Louisville International Airport. First responders are onsite, and we will share more information as available. Please pray for the pilots, crew, and everyone affected. We will share more soon,” Beshear said on X.

At 6:06 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration announced that UPS Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, crashed around 5:15 p.m.

The flight was reportedly departing from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, bound for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.

At 6:37 p.m., Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport announced that flights had been temporarily suspended, and the airfield was closed. Passengers are asked to monitor their flight status via their airline’s website.

Beshear joined Louisville leaders in a press conference around 7:30 p.m.

Beshear said at least 11 people were injured, some had “very significant injuries.” He said he believed the number of fatalities and injuries would grow as the investigation continued.

Around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed seven people had died and 11 others were injured.

Greenberg said more than 100 firefighters had worked the scene.

Beshear said air monitoring assets were deployed on Tuesday.

“We are working to keep the public informed and keep folks in the area safe. We will share more information as it’s available. Please, pray for the families affected, Louisville, and all of Kentucky. We are hurting right now after a heartbreaking day,” Beshear said.

Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said city firefighters have been sent to support Louisville.

“We are keeping those affected by the plane crash in Louisville in our thoughts. We have sent members of our @LexKYFire to assist with the emergency response,” she said on X.

Officials said the plane’s cargo didn’t contain anything hazardous, but was full of 220,000 pounds of jet fuel.

The Louisville Metro Police Department announced that a shelter-in-place was issued for “all locations within 5 miles of the airport” after reports of the plane crash. People were also asked to stay away from the crash site, saying it was not safe to approach the scene.

Jefferson County Public Schools said all schools and extracurricular activities would be closed on Wednesday due to the shelter-in-place order.

“We appreciate your understanding as our community manages this situation. We will communicate updates via email, text, the district website, JCPS social media platforms, and local media,” Jefferson County Public Schools said.

Beshear said at least two businesses, Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts, were hit. Two employees at the auto shop are unaccounted for, but Beshear was unable to confirm how many customers were there at the time of the crash.

The smoke from the fireball caused by the crash was thick enough to be caught on weather radars, according to the FOX 56 Weather Authority.

Officials are waiting to release more information on the victims until they can contact their next of kin.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 56 News for updates.