UPS cargo plane engine detached prior to deadly Louisville crash, 11 lives lost

UPS Plane Crash in Louisville

The left engine of the UPS cargo plane that crashed at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) on Tuesday lost its connection during takeoff, as confirmed by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Wednesday.

Flight 2976, which had three people aboard, crashed into the Kentucky Oil Recycling Facility shortly after departing from SDF around 5:15 p.m. ET, according to Governor Andy Beshear. The incident resulted in over 200,000 pounds of fuel being released.

Tragically, at least 11 individuals were killed, including three crew members and an infant, along with 11 injuries reported on the ground.

While the specific cause of the crash is still under investigation, NTSB officials stated that the left engine was found detached from the aircraft at the airfield.

Preliminary reports suggest that the flight did not experience any delays, and there was no urgent maintenance performed before takeoff. Notably, there were no known airworthiness directives for either the plane or its engines.

The FBI is assisting in the investigation as part of an interagency agreement, although it’s unclear if there’s any suspicion of criminal activity or what the plane was transporting at the time.

Packages passing through this UPS hub daily include a range of critical items, from medications to various everyday products.

Investigators recovered the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder—commonly referred to as the “black box”—on Wednesday afternoon. Although exposed to heat, they remain intact and will be sent to the NTSB’s lab in Washington, D.C. Several specialized groups are now investigating different aspects of the crash, including the Operations Group assessing the flight history and crew actions, and a Structures Group focusing on debris and impact trajectory.

This particular plane had been in service for nearly 35 years, as per FAA records. The agency is trying to balance the investigation’s thoroughness with the urgent need to reopen the airport’s runway, essential for supply chain operations.

Louisville Airport is the hub for UPS Worldport—one of the largest air cargo facilities in the world, employing about 26,000 individuals in the area.

On Wednesday morning, Governor Beshear declared a state of emergency to facilitate recovery efforts, anticipating that the death toll might rise to 12 by that evening. He urged the public to keep the families affected in their thoughts during this difficult time.

An organizational meeting by the NTSB will be convened to establish collaborative parties, which will include aircraft manufacturers and relevant unions, among others. Participants must refrain from making public comments without NTSB approval.