UPS Flight 1303 Executes Go-Around After Runway Incursion at Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A UPS cargo flight executed a go-around at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on April 14 after another aircraft entered the runway without clearance during the UPS plane's final approach.

UPS Flight 1303, operated by a Boeing 767, was approaching Runway 17 around 12:10 a.m. when a Labcorp aircraft entered the runway despite holding instructions from air traffic control. The UPS crew initiated the go-around maneuver at approximately 450 feet above ground level after controllers issued the instruction due to collision risk.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that required separation was maintained throughout the incident, and no contact occurred between the aircraft. UPS spokesperson Michelle Polk said there was no operational impact following the event. The incident occurred at SDF, UPS's primary cargo hub known for high-volume overnight operations, and comes amid ongoing scrutiny of safety protocols following a fatal UPS MD-11 crash at the same airport in November 2025.