Newly released footage has revealed the terrifying moment UPS Flight 2976 crashed in Louisville, Kentucky, on November 4, 2025, killing 15 people.
The cargo plane, a Boeing MD-11F, had just taken off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport when its left engine and pylon detached mid-flight, sending flames erupting around the aircraft before it plummeted to the ground.
Horrifying Engine Failure Captured on Video
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released surveillance footage showing the left engine and pylon breaking away from the wing seconds after takeoff rotation. The engine is seen flying over the wing as fire bursts from the aircraft. Moments later, the plane crashed near the airport in a massive fireball.
All three crew members on board were killed, along with 12 people on the ground, marking one of the deadliest accidents in UPS history.
Victims of the Crash
Among those killed were three-year-old Kimberly Asa and her grandfather, Lou Fedon, 47, described by family as “inseparable” and “best friends.”
Three employees of Grade A Auto were also victims: John Loucks, 52; Trina Chavez, 37, a mother of two; and Megan Washburn, 35.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed that all missing people have now been accounted for and the death toll is not expected to rise further.
Flight Details and Investigation
UPS Flight 2976 was a cargo flight bound for Honolulu, Hawaii. The NTSB has confirmed that the crash followed a catastrophic mechanical failure during takeoff, with the aircraft’s left engine and pylon separating from the wing.
Federal investigators are now focusing on the engine mount, which showed fatigue cracks in a critical component connecting the engine pylon to the wing. They are also examining whether previous maintenance inspections had flagged the part as a concern.
The crash has prompted renewed scrutiny of Boeing, UPS maintenance procedures, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversight. In response, the FAA issued emergency airworthiness directives requiring inspections of MD-11 and DC-10 series aircraft to prevent similar incidents.
Impact on Louisville
The crash devastated part of Louisville’s industrial area and left families across the city grieving. The fiery crash scene, captured on NTSB surveillance, has become a central piece of the investigation.
Investigators are expected to continue reviewing the plane’s maintenance history, aircraft design, and any prior warnings before issuing a final report.
This tragedy has drawn attention to cargo aircraft safety and underscores the importance of rigorous maintenance and oversight in preventing catastrophic failures.
