Investigators release dramatic images of UPS cargo plane erupting into flames [View all]

Source: USA Today

Nation
Investigators release dramatic images of UPS cargo plane erupting into flames

The images are part of the National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report, released Nov. 20.

Christopher Cann
USA TODAY
Updated Nov. 20, 2025 12:03 p.m. ET

The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report on the deadly crash of a UPS cargo plane in Louisville, Kentucky, that killed 14 people, including three crew members.

The report, released on Thursday, Nov. 20, included a dramatic sequence of images showing the plane's engine erupting into flames.

UPS Flight 2976 was taking off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Nov. 4 when it crashed and erupted into a deadly ball of fire in an industrial part of Louisville. It was the deadliest crash in UPS history.

The National Transportation Safety Board on Nov. 20 released a preliminary report on the crash of a UPS MD-11 cargo jet in Louisville, Kentucky on Nov. 4. Included were a series of dramatic images of the jet bursting into flames on takeoff.


The National Transportation Safety Board on Nov. 20 released a preliminary report on the deadly crash of a UPS MD-11 cargo jet in Louisville, Kentucky on Nov. 4. Included were a series of dramatic images of the jet bursting into flames on takeoff. National Transportation Safety Board

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This story has been updated to add new information.

Contributing: Olivia Evans and Matthew Glowicki, Louisville Courier Journal

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/11/20/ntsb-report-ups-cargo-plane-crash-images/87372643007/