UPS plane crash death toll rises to at least 9, officials say

At least nine people are dead and more are injured after a UPS plane crashed on Tuesday as it was departing from Louisville, Kentucky, spurring a massive fireball and leaving a trail of destruction, officials said.

“Kentucky, more heartbreaking news out of Louisville. The number of those lost has now risen to at least 9, with the possibility of more,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said in a Wednesday morning post on X. “Right now these families need prayers, love and support. Let’s wrap our arms around them during this unimaginable time.”

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg also confirmed in a Wednesday post on X that “responders have located 9 victims at the site of the UPS crash.” In a statement, a spokesperson for Greenberg was unable to confirm how many people died on the plane and how many died on the ground. The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, had three crew members on board, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

UPS Flight 2976 crashed Tuesday evening as it departed Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport for Honolulu, according to the FAA.

Officials initially confirmed that 7 people died in the crash. At least 11 people were also injured from the crash, according to Beshear, who called the incident a “catastrophic event.”

Video from the crash shows a large fireball and smoke plume erupting from the crash site. The plane had around 38,000 gallons of fuel on board, according to officials.