UPS MD-11F Crashes Shortly After Takeoff from Louisville

Photo Source: WLKY

A UPS cargo aircraft has crashed near Louisville International Airport (KSDF) at 5:20 PM ET, while operating as flight 5X2976 from Louisville, Kentucky, to Honolulu, Hawaii. The aircraft involved is a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F, registered as N259UP, carrying three crew members when it crashed near the airport.

Last Recorded Flight Data

According to ADS-B data captured moments before the crash, the aircraft’s last known position was recorded at:

1. Timestamp (UTC): 2025-11-04 22:13:42

2. Latitude: 38.1728

3. Longitude: -85.7441

4. Heading: 166º

5. Altitude: 225 ft

6. Ground Speed: 144 knots

This indicates the aircraft was still in its initial climb phase shortly after takeoff from Louisville when it encountered an emergency.

Flightaft Information

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1. Flight Number: UPS 5X2976

2. Route: Louisville (KSDF) → Honolulu (PHNL)

3. Aircraft Type: McDonnell Douglas MD-11F

4. Registration: N259UP

5. Operator: UPS 

Investigation Underway

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed the incident and stated that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation.

Download the flight log in CSV, GEOJSON, and KML by clicking here.