LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A UPS cargo plane crash occurred Tuesday evening at the company's Worldport hub, resulting in multiple fatalities and disruptions to shipping operations.
According to officials, at least 12 people died in the incident, which happened shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, en route to Honolulu. Sorting operations at Worldport, which processes approximately 416,000 packages per hour, were halted following the crash and remain paused.
UPS has activated contingency plans to manage deliveries, emphasizing that short-term disruptions are expected. The company has not disclosed the number or types of packages aboard the downed plane, but aviation experts estimate that a typical flight from Louisville carries between 10,000 and 13,000 packages.
Tom Goldsby, a supply chain management professor, noted that regional hubs will likely take on increased responsibilities while operations in Louisville are suspended. UPS is under pressure to resolve the situation ahead of the busy holiday season.
Individuals anticipating UPS deliveries are advised to check their tracking information online. UPS plans to contact customers concerning any packages affected by the crash.
Authorities said investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.