UPS Cargo Jet Aborts Landing at Kentucky Airport After Near Miss

The incident occurred at the same airport where a deadly UPS crash killed 15 people just months earlier.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:40pm

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A highly stylized, geometric illustration depicting the silhouette of a large aircraft against a vibrant sky gradient, conveying the grand scale and technical complexity of air travel without any specific details.A near miss at a Kentucky airport raises alarms about aviation safety, months after a deadly UPS cargo crash at the same facility.Louisville Today

A UPS cargo jet aborted its landing at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday to avoid a smaller aircraft that was on the runway. The close call occurred just months after a deadly UPS cargo plane crash at the same airport in November 2025 that killed 15 people.

Why it matters

The near miss at the Louisville airport raises concerns about air traffic safety and operations at the facility, which serves as the central hub for UPS's global air network. The incident comes on the heels of the previous deadly crash, heightening scrutiny of the airport's procedures and the FAA's oversight.

The details

According to reports, an air traffic controller urgently instructed the smaller aircraft, identified as Skylab 25, to stop before directing the UPS Boeing 767 cargo jet, Flight 1303 arriving from Atlanta, to perform a go-around. Audio captured the controller yelling, "Two-Five, stop! SkyLab Two-Five, what are you doing?" The UPS jet safely conducted the go-around maneuver, and there were no injuries reported.

  • The incident occurred on Tuesday, April 17, 2026.
  • In November 2025, a deadly UPS cargo plane crash at the same airport killed 15 people.

The players

UPS

A major American shipping and logistics company that operates the UPS Worldport facility, the largest package handling hub in the world, at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

The airport where the near miss incident occurred, as well as the site of a deadly UPS cargo plane crash in November 2025.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation.

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What they’re saying

“Two-Five, stop! SkyLab Two-Five, what are you doing?”

— Air Traffic Controller

“The aircraft "safely conducted a go around" during its approach, and there was no operational impact or injuries.”

— Michelle Polk, UPS Spokesperson

What’s next

The FAA is expected to investigate the near miss incident at the Louisville airport to determine the cause and review safety protocols.

The takeaway

This close call at the Louisville airport, coming just months after a deadly UPS crash at the same facility, underscores the need for rigorous safety measures and air traffic control procedures to prevent future accidents and protect both aviation workers and the public.