An investigation is underway in the crash of a UPS cargo plane shortly after takeoff from the Louisville, Kentucky, airport on November 4, 2025, that left at least nine people dead and many more injured on the ground. Over 200 first responders were on the scene rescuing people.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has a team of investigators on the scene examining how this tragedy occurred. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency and mobilized the National Guard in an effort to free up resources quickly.
Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner of Clifford Law Offices and lead counsel in the aviation litigation involving the crash of a Boeing jet that killed all 157 onboard with his firm representing 74 of the victims’ families, said regarding the latest crash in Louisville, “Based on the available information, including videos, there was obviously a catastrophic failure during the takeoff that led to this horrific in-flight fire, the subsequent crash, and the numerous flight crew and ground victims deaths that resulted from it. UPS and its partners, along with Boeing and all of the MD-11 systems partners, need to help the NTSB figure out what caused this crash as soon as possible, take steps to prevent recurrence, and accept full responsibility for all of the harm brought to the victims and their families.”
Clifford spent the day yesterday in federal district court in Chicago selecting a jury on behalf of one of the families going to trial on that 2019 crash. That case settled late last night, along with two other families he represents in that crash. He went on to say, “This crash once again places in the public mind the dangers associated with aviation travel. While aviation travel is statistically very safe, this crash proves once again that when things go wrong, they are almost inevitably fatal. The families who are currently engaged in trials in Chicago for the crash of Ethiopian Flight 302 extend their thoughts and prayers to the loved ones of all of those who perished in this crash, not only on the plane, but on the ground in the path of destruction as well.
The UPS cargo plane crash, which happened around 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, November 4, caused a massive fire, with giant plumes of smoke spanning nearly a mile around the airport. The MD-11 plane crashed during takeoff at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Three crew members were on board, UPS confirmed.
For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell) or pammenaker@cliffordlaw.com.