Newly released audio has captured a terrifying moment when a UPS plane crashed, claiming the lives of 14 people.
In the moments after the crash, dozens of 911 calls reported a “large explosion” and “lots of black smoke” over the radio as flames erupted at an industrial park in Kentucky.
According to audio obtained by the Herald‑Leader, airport personnel were among the first to announce the crisis.
UPS Plane Crash Audio
The airport personnel told other pilots that “the airfield is closed.”
A voice on the Louisville Fire Department dispatch channel followed up: “Be advised, there has been a large explosion off Fern Valley Road by the airport — lots of black smoke.”
Fire crews arrived just two minutes later, and within three minutes determined the situation required mutual‑aid from surrounding jurisdictions.
“Be advised, UPS employees are stating that they believe this is one of their airplanes that went down.”
By 5:20PM – seven minutes after the fireball engulfed several buildings – police and fire officials were coordinating across airwaves, trying to decide whether the “multiple calls for service for smoke in the area” should be treated individually or as one mass‑incident.
The crash claimed 14 lives. Credit: Stephen Cohen / Getty
Chaotic Scene in an Industrial Zone
An early responder from the MetroSafe Suburban Fire Department came across a burning building reading “Kentucky Petroleum” among others aflame.
Both Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts – located south of the UPS Worldport facility on airport grounds – were later confirmed to have been hit by the crashing plane.
The hazardous aerosolised chemicals near the flames forced officials to cordon off a large area and order shelter‑in‑place directives into southern Indiana across the Ohio River.
Around 200 first responders converged on the scene of the crash, which claimed 14 lives. Three of the victims were pilots aboard the Honolulu‑bound MD‑11 aircraft, which apparently lost an engine just after takeoff.
Near Miss at a Happy Hour Spot
Shockingly, the tragedy occurred just yards away from evening patrons at the nearby bar and grill, per the New York Post.
The popular hangout, Stooges Bar & Grill – frequented by workers from UPS and the nearby Ford SUV assembly plant – was almost hit.
“This plane barely missed a restaurant/bar,” said Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky.
“It was very close to a very large Ford plant with hundreds, if not a thousand‑plus workers.”
According to bar owner Debbie Self, the plane came within just 100 yards of the venue.
“It was close. They said, ‘We don’t know how you made it,’” she said.
Credit: Yasin Demirci/Anadolu via Getty Images
Bartender Kyla Kenady described the terrifying moment: “I turned around, ran down the bar and screamed to everyone that a plane was crashing, grabbed my things, grabbed my phone, my purse, ran out the door as everyone, in panic, ran out at the same time,” she told CNN, adding that she felt the ground shaking and felt a rush of heated air as she ran to her car and fled.
Regular patron Bryson Beck said the black smoke was so thick he “thought that maybe a country was bombing us.”
Stooges survived the blast’s immediate physical impact, but its parking lot – typically used for volleyball and wrestling matches – is now being used as a temporary morgue. The bar remains indefinitely closed.
Officials say only the three UPS crew members have been identified so far; nine community members remain reported missing, with several sets of remains too badly charred to identify.
