UPS has named the three crew members who died when a fully fueled MD-11 cargo jet bound for Honolulu lost its left engine, caught fire, and slammed into an industrial area shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday.
The pilots were Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Captain Dana Diamond, according to a statement from UPS Executive Vice President Nando Cesarone.
“Words can’t express the sorrow we feel over the heartbreaking Flight 2976 accident,” Cesarone said. “We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of our colleagues, and to the loved ones of those in the Louisville community.”
The Tuesday afternoon crash killed at least 13 people, including ground workers and at least one child, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed Thursday. Nine others remain unaccounted for amid a half-mile debris field of charred metal and ruptured fuel tanks.
“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,” Greenberg posted on social media. “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.”
National Transportation Safety Board member Todd Inman told reporters the plane’s left wing erupted in flames during the takeoff roll on Runway 17R. Airport security video captured the engine detaching before the aircraft cleared an end-of-runway fence, reached 475 feet, and struck buildings at a speed of 210 mph.
“Shortly after clearing that fence, it made impact with structures and the terrain off of the airport property,” Inman said, Fox 4 KDFW reported. “A post impact fire ensued, which covers approximately almost a half of a mile.”
Investigators recovered both black boxes in good condition and located the severed engine on the airfield.
The MD-11, built in 1991, underwent maintenance in San Antonio from September 3 to October 18, including repairs to a cracked structural piece in the center wing fuel tank, according to FAA records.
NTSB officials stated that they will examine every maintenance action performed on the aircraft. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days; a full probe could take a year or more.
UPS Worldport, the company’s largest hub, resumed limited operations on Wednesday night. The facility employs over 20,000 people and typically handles 300 flights daily.
Teamsters Local 89 held a candlelight vigil Thursday evening for the victims.
“This incident was so sudden, so unexpected,” Greenberg told the crowd of 200, The Guardian reported. “No one had a chance to say goodbye to any of those who we have lost.”
“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 a priority,” UPS said in a statement on Thursday.
Search teams continue working through layers of wreckage. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office has removed all the bodies that have been found, but has not yet identified the victims who were killed on the ground.