A UPS cargo plane crashed Tuesday near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) in Kentucky, resulting in at least three fatalities and 11 injuries. The incident occurred when UPS Flight 2976, carrying three crew members, struck the roof of the Kentucky Petroleum Recycling building shortly after departing SDF at approximately 5:14 p.m. ET, according to Gov. Andy Beshear.

Beshear described the event as “catastrophic,” noting that two employees from a nearby business, Grade A Auto Parts, remain unaccounted for. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 was en route to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu when the crash occurred. Officials reported the aircraft carried over 200,000 pounds of fuel, triggering a massive fireball explosion. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed emergency services were mobilized to the site near the UPS Worldport facility.

Louisville Metro Police Department stated multiple individuals were injured, though UPS has not yet verified reports of casualties or injuries. A police post on X warned: “This is an active scene with fire and debris. Stay away.” No hazardous materials were aboard, according to Beshear, but a shelter-in-place alert was issued for the Outer Loop northbound to the Ohio River, urging residents to disable air intake systems immediately.

A victim reunification center was established, with chaplains on site. SDF suspended all flights and closed the airfield pending investigation. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are collaborating, with the NTSB leading the inquiry.