A catastrophic aviation accident occurred in Louisville on November 4, 2025, when a UPS MD-11 cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in 14 fatalities and 23 injuries.
The flight, bound for Honolulu, suffered a mechanical failure when its left engine and connecting pylon detached during the takeoff roll, causing the aircraft to briefly lift off before losing control.
The jet struck several structures, including an auto parts business and a petroleum recycling facility, triggering a massive fireball that contributed to the significant loss of life on the ground.
Among those killed were all three crew members and eleven individuals in the industrial area near the airport, including a three-year-old girl and her grandfather.
In the wake of the tragedy, the FAA issued an emergency grounding for all MD-11 aircraft to allow for structural inspections, particularly focusing on the pylon-to-wing connections.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading an investigation into the crash, which has highlighted concerns regarding the aging fleet and recent maintenance history of the specific aircraft involved.
