UPS plane crashes near Louisville airport, killing at least 12; black boxes recovered

UPS Plane Crashes Near Louisville Airport, Killing at Least 12; Black Boxes Recovered

A UPS cargo aircraft crashed Tuesday shortly after takeoff from Louisville International Airport in Kentucky, leaving at least 12 people dead and more than a dozen injured, according to state officials. Authorities cautioned that the death toll could rise as several people remain missing.

Ongoing Investigation

The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation and confirmed Wednesday that both flight data recorders have been recovered from the wreckage.

Search for the Missing

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg reported that as of Wednesday night, 14 people were still unaccounted for. The plane was carrying three UPS crew members, though their fate has not yet been confirmed.

“We do not expect to find anyone else alive,” Beshear said during a press briefing Wednesday afternoon.

He noted that one of the victims is believed to be a young child and added that emergency crews continue search operations in the impact zone.

Emergency Response

Governor Beshear declared a state of emergency following the crash. Louisville officials stated that the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office is working at the scene to identify victims. None had been officially identified as of Wednesday evening.

Author’s Summary

The UPS crash near Louisville claimed at least 12 lives, with investigations and recovery efforts ongoing amid hopes fading for missing passengers.

CBS News — 2025-11-06