Kentucky Gov. Beshear details response to deadly UPS crash; airport reopens with limits

Staff report from transcribed press conference and FAA info

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — November 5, 2025

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday outlined the state’s response to the fiery crash of UPS Flight 2976 near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, declaring a state of emergency and praising a multi-agency surge that knocked down a jet-fuel inferno and narrowed shelter-in-place zones hours after the disaster.

Beshear said nine deaths have been confirmed and warned the toll could rise as search and recovery teams continue to work amid hazardous debris. He said the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo jet, bound for Honolulu, went down around 5:15 p.m. Tuesday with three crew aboard, igniting tanks at nearby Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and destroying parts of an auto-parts yard. He lauded more than 200 first responders and more than 50 fire trucks from across the region for containing a blaze fed by an estimated 38,000 gallons of jet fuel.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation; the FAA said the airport reopened Wednesday morning but multiple taxiways remain closed. Officials urged residents not to handle debris and said updates will come from federal investigators.

Beshear said the state’s emergency order speeds resources to Louisville Metro and partner agencies and activates the Kentucky National Guard for support roles. He announced a Team Kentucky Emergency Relief Fund to cover funeral costs and other aid for families. “In Kentucky, we grieve together and we support one another,” he said, adding that a victim family reunification center remains open at the Louisville Metro Police Training Academy.

Local officials said the crash narrowly missed a busy restaurant, a Ford manufacturing complex and the Kentucky Exposition Center. Louisville emergency managers progressively shrank air-quality and water-safety advisories as fire crews contained hot spots, while environmental testing continues around the impact area.

UPS suspended portions of its Worldport operations after the crash. Federal officials said investigators from NTSB and FAA arrived Wednesday and will release additional information as it becomes available.

FAA:

https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/statements/accident_incidents

The post Kentucky Gov. Beshear details response to deadly UPS crash; airport reopens with limits first appeared on The Bloomingtonian.