BREAKING: At Least 9 Dead, Several Still Missing After UPS Plane Crash in Louisville — Ja’Marr Chase’s Relative Narrowly Escapes Tragedy

LOUISVILLE, KY — A tragic plane crash in Louisville has left at least nine people dead and several others missing, after a UPS cargo plane went down in flames shortly after takeoff early Wednesday morning.

The aircraft — an Airbus A300 bound for Dallas — took off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport around 3:42 a.m., but within minutes, witnesses say they saw a bright flash in the sky followed by a massive explosion.

“The whole sky just lit up orange,” said Angela Thompson, who lives less than a mile from the crash site. “Then we heard a boom so loud it shook the windows.”

Nine Confirmed Dead, Search Still Underway

Firefighters and rescue crews rushed to the scene — a wooded area near Preston Highway — but were met with an inferno of burning debris and thick smoke.

Louisville Fire Chief Greg Winters confirmed that nine bodies have been recovered so far, with several others still missing.

“This is one of the most devastating aviation accidents we’ve seen in recent years,” Winters said. “Our teams are still searching through wreckage and doing everything they can for the victims’ families.”

UPS released a brief statement expressing “deep sorrow” over the loss of life and confirming that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash.

Ja’Marr Chase’s Relative Was Supposed to Be On That Flight

As families across the city reel from the tragedy, one story stands out — that of Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and his family.

According to sources close to the team, Chase’s cousin, who works as a UPS logistics coordinator, was scheduled to be on that very flight as part of a routine delivery assignment to Dallas.

But in a twist of fate, he called in sick at the last minute after coming down with a sudden fever late Tuesday night — a decision that ultimately saved his life.

“He texted me saying he wasn’t feeling great and decided to skip the shift,” a family friend told local reporters. “Now he’s realizing that one small decision changed everything.”

‘It Shakes You to the Core,’ Says Chase

Chase, who is currently preparing for the Bengals’ upcoming game against the Steelers, was reportedly “shaken and emotional” upon hearing the news.

He released a short statement through the team’s public relations office Wednesday afternoon:

“My heart breaks for everyone who lost someone in that crash. My family was lucky, but so many others weren’t. We’re praying for the victims and their families tonight.”

Teammates said Chase was visibly moved during morning practice and spent time talking privately with head coach Zac Taylor.

“It really hit him hard,” said one teammate. “He kept saying how close it was — how easily his family could have been part of that tragedy.”

Investigation Underway

Federal investigators from the NTSB arrived in Louisville by mid-morning and have begun recovering the plane’s black boxes — the flight data and cockpit voice recorders that could reveal what went wrong.

Early reports suggest the plane may have suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure shortly after takeoff. Witnesses said the aircraft appeared to lose altitude rapidly before crashing into a wooded area and exploding on impact.

“We’re looking at all possible factors — from maintenance records to engine performance and weather conditions,” NTSB spokesperson Michelle Turner said. “Our goal is to bring answers to the families as quickly as possible.”

Community in Mourning

By Wednesday evening, candlelight vigils were already being held outside UPS facilities and local churches.
Many of the victims were long-time employees at the company’s Louisville hub — one of the largest shipping centers in the nation.

“They weren’t just coworkers, they were family,” said Robert Lane, a UPS regional manager. “This city runs on the dedication of people like them. We’ve lost some of the best.”

UPS confirmed that grief counselors have been made available for employees and relatives affected by the disaster.

A Narrow Escape and a Heavy Heart

For Ja’Marr Chase’s cousin, the reality of what could have been is only beginning to sink in.

“He keeps saying, ‘It should’ve been me,’” the family friend shared. “He knew everyone on that crew. They were his friends.”

Chase reportedly visited his family after practice and has offered to cover funeral costs for one of the victims’ families — a gesture that’s being quietly praised by those close to him.

“Ja’Marr’s heart is as big as his game,” said one Bengals staff member. “He’s hurting for everyone right now.”

The Road Ahead

Authorities warn that identifying all victims may take several days due to the severity of the wreckage. Investigators are expected to release preliminary findings within a week.

For now, Louisville — and the families left behind — are united in grief and remembrance.

And for Ja’Marr Chase and his family, the tragedy stands as a haunting reminder of how fragile life can be — and how, sometimes, fate spares a life for reasons no one can explain.

“He was supposed to be on that plane,” Chase told a friend quietly. “Now he’s hugging his kids instead. That’s all the miracle you need.”