What happened
On the afternoon of November 4, 2025, UPS Airlines Flight 2976, a scheduled domestic cargo service, was preparing for departure from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky. The aircraft, identified as McDonnell Douglas MD-11, was bound for Honolulu, Hawaii.
During the takeoff roll, the flight experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure involving the separation of its left engine. This event occurred just seconds before the aircraft achieved lift-off. Consequently, the plane crashed into an adjacent industrial area immediately after leaving the runway at approximately 5:13 p.m. local time (22:13 UTC).
The impact resulted in significant loss of life. All three crew members aboard the aircraft perished instantly. On the ground, twelve individuals were killed by the crash. Among those injured on the ground, one victim later succumbed to their wounds on December 25, bringing the total fatality count to sixteen.
Investigation
The provided source material does not contain specific details regarding the investigative procedures, findings, or causal conclusions established by authorities following the accident.