At least seven people have died after a cargo plane ran off the runway and caught fire in Kentucky on Tuesday.
The plane, operated by the delivery company UPS, hit several buildings as it crashed during takeoff. Officials say the number of deaths and injuries could rise.
Where did the crash happen?
UPS Flight 2976 crashed while taking off from Louisville International Airport around 5:15 p.m. local time. The plane skidded off the runway and hit nearby buildings before bursting into flames.
According to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, two businesses were damaged — Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts. The first one was hit directly.
Videos shared online show the plane already on fire before it left the runway.
Flames spread to nearby buildings, and emergency teams worked to stop the fire from spreading further. People living nearby were told to stay indoors because of the risk of explosions and smoke. The airport, located in Kentucky’s largest city, has stopped all flights.
How many people were killed or hurt?
Officials have confirmed seven deaths so far, but they expect that number to increase. It is not yet clear if the three crew members on board are among the dead.
Eleven people have been injured and are being treated in hospitals. That number may also rise.
The fire department said no one is known to be trapped in nearby buildings, but search efforts are still ongoing. Two workers from the auto parts shop are still missing, and it’s unclear how many customers were there when the crash happened.
What caused the crash?
Investigators are still looking into the cause of the crash, and it is too early to know what exactly happened.
Officials said the huge fire started because the plane was carrying a large amount of fuel. The aircraft was about to fly 4,300 miles (6,920 km) to Hawaii and had 38,000 gallons (144,000 litres) of fuel onboard.
It is not yet clear what cargo the plane was carrying, but officials said there was nothing dangerous or that could cause contamination.
Louisville Fire Department Chief Brian O’Neal said the spilled fuel made the crash site “very dangerous.”
At first, people within five miles of the airport were told to stay indoors, but this was later reduced to one mile as firefighters worked to control the blaze on Tuesday night.
The plane involved was an MD-11F, a large three-engine cargo aircraft that first entered service 34 years ago.
Published: 5th November 2025
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