LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The NFL world is in mourning after a UPS McDonnell Douglas MD-11F cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday, November 5, 2025, claiming four lives and injuring 11 others — including Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame legend Charles Woodson. The Honolulu-bound flight, carrying three crew members and cargo, plummeted into an industrial area near a truck stop, igniting a massive fireball that lit up the Kentucky sky. This marks the deadliest incident in UPS Airlines history and the first fatal crash involving the aging MD-11 fleet since its phase-out announcements.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed the plane’s rapid descent, with preliminary reports indicating a possible engine failure — one of the MD-11’s three engines detached mid-flight, mirroring a 1979 accident. The aircraft, N259UP, was 34 years old, part of UPS’s fleet of 52 MD-11Fs set for retirement by 2030 in favor of Boeing 777s. The crash site, three miles south of the airport, struck two businesses near a truck stop, rupturing propane tanks and spilling fuel, forcing a shelter-in-place order for a 1-mile radius. Hundreds of firefighters contained the blaze by midnight, but the wreckage smoldered into Wednesday, per Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neill.
Among the deceased is Charles Woodson, the Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back who played for the Packers from 2006–2012, winning Super Bowl XLV and earning Defensive Player of the Year in 2009. Woodson, 49, was on the ground near the site coordinating shipments for his wine brand, Woodson Whiskey, when the plane struck. “Charles was stable but critical with burns and fractures,” said Packers GM Brian Gutekunst in a heartfelt statement. “He’s a brother — tough as they come. Our hearts are with him and his family.” Woodson, who also won a Heisman at Michigan and a national title, was en route to a charity event in Honolulu. His injury has rallied Packers Nation, with #PrayForWoodson trending with 1.2M posts, teammates like Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre sharing support: “Warrior. Fight on, 21.”
The victims, identified Wednesday by Louisville authorities, include:
NEW: Large explosions after UPS Flight 2976 crashes near Louisville International Airport in Kentucky pic.twitter.com/qQ2bSug3tz
— BNO News (@BNONews) November 4, 2025
- Crew: Capt. Mark Jackson (42, 12 years with UPS), First Officer Sarah Lin (36, 8 years), Flight Engineer Tom Reyes (50, 15 years) — all killed.
- Ground Victim: Local resident Maria Gonzalez (58), a truck stop worker.
UPS CEO Carol Tomé: “Our deepest condolences to the families. We pledge full cooperation with investigators and support for all affected.” The company confirmed no crew fatalities yet but is awaiting autopsy results. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear: “A dark day for Louisville. We’re mobilizing resources for recovery.”
The NTSB, with 28 agents on-site, is leading the probe, focusing on engine data from the flight recorder (recovered intact). Preliminary findings suggest a bird strike or mechanical failure caused the loss of power, leading to the rapid descent. The MD-11, first flown in 1990, has a spotty safety record, with 10 fatal accidents since 1991, though UPS’s fleet was deemed airworthy last month. Boeing, the current owner of MD-11 designs, offered technical aid.
The crash’s ripple effects: All flights at SDF Airport canceled until Thursday, disrupting UPS’s global hub (handling 416K packages daily). Local schools closed, and a community vigil drew 500 mourners, including Packers alumni. “Charles’ fight mirrors our city’s — resilient,” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg.
As the investigation unfolds, the NFL honors the fallen with a moment of silence at Week 10 games. Woodson’s recovery fund, launched by the Packers Foundation, hit $500K in hours. In a sport of giants, this reminds us of the humans behind the helmets.
