Federal Investigation Underway After UPS Cargo Plane Crash in Louisville Claims 12 Lives

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A routine cargo flight turned into a devastating tragedy early Tuesday when a UPS Airlines freighter crashed moments after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, killing all three crew members on board and at least nine people on the ground. The incident has triggered a massive federal investigation and cast a spotlight on the safety of aging cargo aircraft.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11F, a 34-year-old tri-jet freighter operating as Flight 5X1354, departed the airport just after 12:30 a.m. local time, bound for Honolulu. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft struggling to gain altitude, with its left engine appearing to catch fire and separate from the wing before the plane banked sharply and plummeted into a nearby industrial and residential zone known as Prichard Station.

“The aircraft was attempting to return to the airport but did not make it,” said a preliminary statement from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which has taken lead on the investigation. “The wreckage is contained primarily in two large sections, indicating the aircraft broke apart during the impact sequence.”

The crash ignited multiple fires in a chain of warehouses used for storage and manufacturing, creating a large-scale emergency response. Firefighters battled the blazes for hours as thick, black smoke billowed into the pre-dawn sky. Emergency officials issued a temporary shelter-in-place order for nearby residents over concerns about air quality, which was later lifted.

A Community and a Company in Mourning

Louisville-based UPS, one of the city’s largest employers, confirmed the aircraft was carrying only cargo and that the three-person crew consisted of the captain, first officer, and a second officer. The company has not yet released their names.

“Our hearts are heavy with the loss of our colleagues and the others who were involved in this tragic event,” said UPS CEO Carol Tomé in a somber press conference. “We are working closely with the NTSB and other authorities to understand what happened.” The company’s Worldport global sorting hub, located at the airport, temporarily suspended operations but has since resumed after initial safety checks.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed his condolences, stating, “This is a heartbreaking loss for our state. We are mourning the victims, holding their families in our prayers, and are grateful for the brave first responders who ran toward danger.”

The death toll, which includes employees working overnight in the affected warehouses, may still rise as search and recovery teams continue to sift through the extensive debris field. Several individuals remain unaccounted for, according to local officials.

Scrutiny on Aging Fleet and Cargo Safety

The crash is likely to intensify scrutiny on the aviation industry’s reliance on older aircraft for cargo operations. The MD-11, a derivative of the DC-10, has a known history of challenging handling characteristics, and while many passenger versions have been retired, a significant number continue to fly as freighters.

“This incident raises critical questions about the maintenance cycles, structural integrity, and operational demands placed on older freighter aircraft, which form the backbone of global overnight shipping,” said aviation analyst Michael Boyd. “The NTSB will be looking meticulously at the engine, the aircraft’s maintenance records, and crew training.”

As the investigation continues, the focus in Louisville remains on recovery and grief. The community, deeply intertwined with the fortunes of UPS, has begun to reckon with a profound loss that has touched both the company’s family and the neighborhoods surrounding the bustling airport.

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