A UPS cargo aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F, crashed during takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday. The aircraft was operating as Flight 5X2976 (UPS2976) and was scheduled to fly to Honolulu, a route with an average flight duration of around 8 hours and 30 minutes.
According to preliminary flight-tracking data, the aircraft’s last transponder signal was received at 22:13 UTC (5:13 PM local time). At that moment, the plane was traveling at a speed of 184 knots and was still at ground altitude. Shortly after that final data point, the aircraft went down near the airport perimeter shortly after departing the runway.
UPS confirmed that three crew members were on board at the time of the crash. The company said it has not yet verified injuries or fatalities and is working with authorities to gather more information.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene as smoke was seen rising from the crash area. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to review flight data, crew communication, aircraft maintenance history, and weather conditions to determine the cause.
UPS stated it is cooperating fully with authorities and will release further updates as details emerge.
More information is awaited.
