‍LOUISVILLE — UPS (5X) Flight 2976 crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) after attempting to take off from the airport’s Runway 17R-35L, bound for Honolulu.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11F (N259UP) came down off the end of the runway in an industrial park south of the field. Three crew members were on board.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated in a press conference that three fatalities have been confirmed along with 11 injuries; however, it’s not yet clear if the fatalities were on the ground or on board.

Initial videos of the accident show the aircraft with its left wing and/or engine on fire after rotating, struggling to gain altitude, then stalling and colliding with the ground south of the field.

Local media helicopters captured photos of the aircraft’s forward left engine cowling sitting to the right (west) of the runway after having collided with PAPI lights. The engine itself was also found mangled next to the runway.

This crash marks the deadliest accident in 5X's history and is the first recorded crash of a UPS-owned MD-11. The MD-11 model overall has had a total of 10 crashes since its introduction, though this is the first involving the American cargo airline, one of the largest worldwide in terms of freight volume flown.

Statements from UPS, Boeing, NTSB 

Upon news of the crash, 5X stated the following, “At approximately 5:20 PM ET [5:15 PM ET according to SDF] tonight [November 4, 2025], UPS flight 2976 from Louisville, KY to Honolulu, an MD-11 with three crew members onboard, was involved in an accident. At this time, we have not confirmed any injuries/casualties."

The airline continued, "UPS will release additional information as it becomes available. Still, the National Transportation Safety Board [NTSB] is in charge of the investigation and will be the primary source of information about the official investigation.”

Boeing also stated that it was "following the news out of Louisville regarding UPS flight 2976. Our concern is for the safety and well-being of all those affected. We stand ready to support our customer and have offered technical assistance to the NTSB.”

Finally, the NTSB took to X to state that it was "launching a go-team to investigate Tuesday’s crash of a UPS MD-11 cargo aircraft, Flight 2976 near Louisville, Kentucky. NTSB Board Member Todd Inman will serve as the on-scene spokesperson. The investigative team is scheduled to arrive in Kentucky tomorrow.A media briefing will be held tomorrow, with the time and location to be announced via this feed."

The Aircraft

The aircraft involved was a 34-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD-11 powered by three General Electric CF6 engines, built for Thai Airways (TG) in 1991. It was delivered in July of that year from the company’s Long Beach final assembly line.

After a nearly 15-year tenure with the Thai flag carrier, MD-11 HS-TME was converted to a freighter in 2006 and delivered to UPS. It was re-registered N259UP.

The aircraft bears manufacturer serial number 48417 and is MD-11 line number 467.

Previous UPS Airlines Incidents

• September 2010: UPS Flight 6, a Boeing 747-400F, experienced an in-flight cargo fire and crashed near Dubai. Both crew members died—this was 5X’s first fatal crash.
• August 2013: An Airbus A300-600F, after departing from SDF, crashed on approach to Birmingham, Alabama, at too low an altitude, killing both crew. Fatigue and aircraft instability were cited as factors.​
• Runway and Other Incidents:
  • January 1985: Swearingen SA227AT overran the runway in Kentucky. The plane was destroyed, but crew survived.
  • February 2006: A DC-8-71F experienced a cargo fire and was destroyed on the ground in Philadelphia; crew evacuated safely.
  • June 2016: UPS MD-11F overran the runway and collapsed its nose gear during a rejected takeoff in Seoul-Incheon; plane was written off but all four crew survived.​

All SDF departing flights scheduled for tonight, November 4 have been cancelled. Please check directly with your airline for the latest updates, rebooking options, and flight status information.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.