UPS Cargo Plane Crash in Louisville Leaves Nine Dead and Multiple Injured

LOUISVILLE, KY — A UPS cargo plane crashed at the company's Worldport hub on Tuesday, resulting in at least nine fatalities and 11 injuries. The incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. as the aircraft was departing for Honolulu.

According to Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, first responders discovered nine victims at the crash site. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated that 16 families are currently reporting loved ones unaccounted for at a nearby reunification center.

A search and rescue operation is ongoing, with over 200 first responders on the scene. Beshear noted that a shelter-in-place order previously covering a five-mile radius was reduced to a quarter-mile as air quality assessments continue.

UPS has suspended package sorting operations at the hub and informed employees not to report to work on Wednesday. The facility, which spans over five million square feet, normally processes around 300 flights and 400,000 packages every hour.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport reopened Wednesday morning, although multiple taxiways remain closed. Travelers are advised to monitor flight statuses due to possible delays and cancellations.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft involved is notable for marking the tenth recorded crash of its model since its introduction. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident, with an NTSB go-team expected to arrive in Kentucky soon.

The crash near the airport, located about seven miles from downtown Louisville, has had significant impacts on surrounding businesses and infrastructure.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.