The Fateful Flight to Honolulu
Louisville Tragedy Update: Mayor Confirms All Missing Victims of UPS Plane Crash Located
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed that all 14 victims of the devastating UPS plane crash, including the three-person crew, have been located as the FAA issues a sweeping order grounding all MD-11 aircraft.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced on Saturday that all individuals reported missing in the wake of the devastating UPS cargo plane crash earlier this week have been accounted for. The total number of victims is now believed to be 14, bringing a measure of closure to the recovery efforts following the fiery accident.
Mayor Greenberg confirmed in a post on X that the 13 victims located at the crash site near the Louisville Muhammad Ali Airport match the total number of missing persons reported to the Louisville Metro Police. Including one victim who passed away at UofL Hospital on Friday, authorities believe the total fatality count is 14, a figure that includes the plane’s three crew members.
"We pray that there are no more victims," Greenberg stated.
Fatal Flight and Immediate Aftermath
The crash occurred around 5:15 a.m. on November 4th, when UPS Flight 2976, a cargo jet bound for Honolulu, Hawaii, went down just south of the airport, impacting nearby businesses, including Kentucky Petroleum Recycling.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has confirmed that the left engine of the MD-11 cargo aircraft caught fire and detached during takeoff. The jet was carrying a massive amount of fuel, 38,000 gallons, which resulted in a massive fireball that engulfed the surrounding area and complicated the initial recovery efforts.
UPS has identified the three pilots killed in the crash as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Captain Dana Diamond.
The bodies of the victims are currently in the possession of the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, which Mayor Greenberg stated is working "rapidly" to identify each individual. Their identities will be released to the public as soon as confirmation is complete.
Safety Concerns Ground MD-11 Fleet
As the investigation continues, NTSB investigators noted that a persistent warning bell was heard in the final cockpit recording.
The serious nature of the crash, particularly the left engine fire and separation, prompted significant safety responses within the industry. Following decisions by UPS and FedEx to ground their respective MD-11 fleets as a precaution on Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Saturday issued an order grounding all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 planes pending further inspection. This order affects approximately 9% of the UPS airline fleet and 4% of the FedEx fleet, impacting global cargo operations.
The full investigation into the cause of the engine failure and the ultimate crash remains ongoing.