9 Still Missing After UPS Plane Headed to Honolulu Crashed During Takeoff From Muhammad Ali International Airport
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY (November 7, 2025) – At least 13 people have tragically died after a UPS plane crashed at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport as the U.S. government breaks the record for the longest shutdown.
According to WLKY, UPS Airlines Flight 2976 was departing the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on a trip to Honolulu, Hawaii. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 UPS plane suffered an engine separation during takeoff and crashed into an industrial area not far from the airport.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene to help all of the victims. Tragically, 13 people are confirmed to have died in the crash and subsequent blaze. Another nine people remain missing.
At least 15 patients were taken to multiple hospitals and medical centers to receive treatment. This deadly crash comes at the same time that the U.S. government has set a record for the longest shutdown in the history of the nation.
During a government shutdown, many federal employees are either furloughed or asked to work without pay for extended periods. This affects the air traffic controllers tasked with overseeing flight safety at airports.
Many have turned to taking on second jobs just to make ends meet as they continue working without pay. This raises serious safety concerns, considering the consequences of mistakes involving air traffic control.
To cope with the ongoing shutdown, many airlines have begun canceling flights. Many sources report that over 1,200 flights have recently been canceled as chaos begins taking over at airports across the nation.
Liability for Plane Crashes
Many collisions are the result of pilot error. According to Research Gate, “Pilot error was a probable cause in 38% of the major airline crashes, 74% of the commuter/air taxi crashes, and 85% of the general aviation crashes.” There could also be several other sources of negligence beyond pilot error.
- Transport Company: Companies that own or operate commercial aircraft can be vicariously liable for accidents if their pilots were in fact negligent. This could include UPS or other commercial airlines. Among other things, pilots may have failed to perform pre-flight safety inspections.
- Aircraft Manufacturer: The company that manufactured any aircraft could face liability for a collision caused by the catastrophic loss of key systems. Companies have a legal obligation to ensure their products are reasonably safe in all the real-world scenarios they will be put through.
- Maintenance Contractor: Commercial aircraft are put through an enormous amount of wear and tear. They must be routinely inspected and well-maintained to function safely. If a maintenance contractor failed to perform repairs or diagnostic functions and this led to a catastrophic accident, they could be legally responsible.
Plane crashes are often highly complex events. The factors that contribute to any plane crash could take place hours, days, or even months prior to the actual incident. It is vital that a thorough investigation be performed to uncover any potential safety deficiencies that may have contributed to a crash.
Is the Government Liable for Plane Crashes?
The federal government is in charge of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This agency oversees air traffic control (ATC) and can be held liable for plane crashes under certain conditions. What follows are just a few of the mistakes that air traffic control could make and inadvertently contribute to a crash.
- Unsafe Instructions: ATC may provide pilots with improper takeoff or landing clearance. It is also possible that they tell pilots to follow unsafe headings or altitudes.
- Safe Separation: ATC may fail to ensure that different aircraft maintained adequate separation during takeoff or landing sequences.
- Failure to Warn: ATC may fail to warn pilots about known hazards. This includes situations where pilots are not warned about wind shear or equipment outages.
- Delayed Emergency Support: ATC may delay emergency response coordination or fail to issue priority handling.
- Miscommunication: ATC may provide pilots with ambiguous instructions or otherwise use non-standard language during key flight operations.
Fatigue is a known risk factor for accidents in a variety of settings. One study found that accidents were 30% greater during night shifts when compared to day shifts. This makes it all the more concerning that air traffic control workers are being asked to work in such stressful conditions during a shutdown. The ATC was already understaffed and highly stressed prior to the gridlock in Washington, D.C.
Getting Legal Help for Catastrophic Aviation Disasters
DiBella Law extends our deepest condolences to all of the families that lost loved ones in this horrific crash near the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. It is our sincere hope that the other victims will be able to make a full recovery.
If you need more information about a commercial plane crash, our aviation accident attorneys are here for you. We are committed to helping victims understand their rights and holding liable parties accountable for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney may be able to help with your particular situation, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime for a free case evaluation at (617) 870-0907.