On Wednesday, November 5, Governor Andy Beshear has declared Kentucky a state of emergency following the deadly plane crash that occurred on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. Beshear opened up a relief fund to help those affected. The state of emergency will also allow state resources to be readily available, including disaster resource management, expenses related to response and more. Donations to the emergency relief fund will go directly to those affected and help pay for funerals of those lost.
At approximately 5:14 p.m. est Tuesday afternoon UPS flight 2976 from Louisville, Kentucky, to Honolulu – an md-11 with three crew members on board – was involved in a catastrophic crash in Louisville just beyond the takeoff runway. The investigation is being led by the national transportation safety board, which will serve as the primary source of information.
“Let’s continue to pray for their families and loved ones during this heartbreaking time,” said Governor Beshear.
Officials have confirmed 12 deaths so far, though they warn that number is expected to rise. It remains unclear whether that total includes the three crew members onboard the aircraft, who are also feared dead. Eleven people have been injured and are being treated in the hospital, but local officials say that figure is also likely to increase.
Governor Andy Beshear said Wednesday that 16 families have reported loved ones unaccounted for. Authorities say they are not yet sure how many victims they are searching for, noting that the debris field is extensive and will make operations challenging. The local fire chief said he was not aware of anyone trapped in nearby buildings, but search efforts are continuing. Two employees of the auto business that was struck remain missing, and officials do not yet know how many customers were inside at the time of the crash.
