A newly surfaced dashcam video shows the chilling moment a UPS cargo plane plunged from the sky and erupted into flames near Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport. The crash of UPS Flight 2976, which happened shortly after takeoff on Tuesday, has left at least 12 people dead, including one child, according to local authorities.
In the video circulating on social media, the aircraft can be seen descending steeply before hitting the ground in a massive explosion. Moments later, thick smoke rises from the crash site as people on the ground run to avoid the rapidly spreading flames and smoke. Investigators believe the left engine may have detached mid-air, causing the aircraft to lose control.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the rising death toll in a post on X, saying, “Even harder news is that we believe one of those lost was a young child.” He described the crash as “devastating” and thanked first responders who battled intense flames to contain the scene.
The aircraft’s wreckage reportedly struck two nearby businesses, Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts, setting them ablaze. Local emergency services worked for hours to extinguish the fire and secure hazardous materials in the area.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), preliminary analysis of surveillance and dashcam footage indicates that the plane’s left engine may have separated from the wing during takeoff. “Footage shows the engine detaching during the takeoff roll,” NTSB investigator Todd Inman said, while adding that it’s still too early to confirm the cause. Both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder have been recovered and are being analyzed in Washington, D.C.
Another video captured by a truck’s dashcam shows the plane crashing just ahead of the vehicle, with flaming debris scattering across the road. The driver narrowly avoided impact, while nearby cars pulled over as fire engulfed the crash site.
Witnesses described hearing a loud “boom” followed by a shockwave that rattled windows across several neighborhoods. “The sky just lit up orange,” said one resident to local reporters. “Then we saw the smoke and realized it was a plane.”
UPS issued a brief statement expressing condolences to the victims’ families and confirming that all crew members aboard the aircraft were killed. “We are cooperating fully with investigators to determine what happened,” the company said.
As the NTSB examines the damaged engine and flight data, investigators are looking at possible mechanical failure, maintenance issues, or bird strikes. Officials have urged the public to avoid speculation until the final report is released, but the newly surfaced videos are already painting a harrowing picture of the final moments of Flight 2976.