The death toll from the UPS cargo plane crash at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport has risen to 13, city officials confirmed, as federal investigators continue to examine how the aircraft's left engine detached shortly after takeoff. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said in a statement, "On my way to the Teamsters' vigil, I learned of a 13th person that died as a result of the UPS flight 2976 plane crash. My heart is with the families, friends and colleagues of all who were lost in this week's tragedy. We will get through this together."
UPS publicly identified the three crew members operating the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 when it crashed. The company said the pilots were Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Captain Dana Diamond. "Our hearts go out to every UPSer who has been impacted and all in our Louisville community - supporting you and ensuring you receive the care and resources you need is our priority," the company said in a statement.
Witness accounts and initial federal findings describe a catastrophic failure shortly after the aircraft lifted off for a scheduled long-haul flight to Hawaii. A National Transportation Safety Board investigator said the left wing caught fire and one of the engines fell off following takeoff. The aircraft crashed into an industrial facility near the airport, triggering a fireball and extensive damage on the ground.
Todd Inman, an NTSB member, said the agency is examining the aircraft's maintenance history, including work completed in Texas. "We are aware that this aircraft was there in San Antonio," Inman said, adding that investigators will "look at every piece of maintenance that was done, even from the San Antonio time, all the way to the date of the flight." Flight tracking data indicated the aircraft remained in San Antonio from September 3 to October 18.
Both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were recovered and appeared intact. Preliminary flight data showed the aircraft at an altitude of 475 feet and traveling approximately 210 miles per hour shortly before impact. The detached engine was located on the airfield.
A separate report from EPA officials indicated that the aircraft collided with Kentucky Petroleum Recycling, which housed above-ground tanks holding used motor oil and oil-water mixtures. Several tanks ruptured. EPA personnel remained on scene to address oil that entered waterways and said the aircraft was not carrying hazardous cargo.
UPS Worldport operations resumed the night after the crash. The Louisville facility, which employs more than 20,000 workers and sorts more than 400,000 packages per hour across 300 daily flights, is the company's largest air cargo hub.
At a candlelight vigil organized by Teamsters Local 89, the mayor addressed a crowd of roughly 200 people. "This incident was so sudden, so unexpected," he said. "No one had a chance to say goodbye to any of those who we have lost."
