UPS names 3 pilots killed in Louisville cargo plane crash that left at least 12 people dead
Share this @internewscast.com

On Thursday, UPS revealed the identities of the flight crew members who tragically lost their lives in a devastating plane crash at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky. The accident, which occurred on Tuesday, resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals and left nearly a dozen more injured.

The three UPS pilots who perished on Flight 2976 were named as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Captain Dana Diamond, as confirmed by Nando Cesarone, the executive vice president of UPS Airlines.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident involving Flight 2976,” Cesarone expressed in a heartfelt statement shared on X. “Our thoughts are with every member of the UPS family affected by this tragedy, as well as the Louisville community. Our focus is on providing the support and resources needed during this difficult time.”

The ill-fated UPS cargo plane, which was carrying approximately 38,000 gallons of fuel and was en route to Hawaii, crashed into the Kentucky Petroleum Recycling building shortly after its 5:15 p.m. ET departure from SDF, according to Governor Andy Beshear.

J. Todd Inman

During a news conference at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, J. Todd Inman of the National Transportation Safety Board addressed questions from reporters about the incident.

At the time of the crash, the oil recycling facility housed 29 above-ground storage tanks, containing around 226,000 gallons of used motor oil and 37,000 gallons of an oil-water-antifreeze mixture, as reported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

EPA on-scene coordinators confirmed several of the large, above-ground storage tanks at Kentucky Petroleum Recycling broke open and fell over. The facility remains closed while the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates.

Preliminary flight data indicates the aircraft’s last recorded elevation was 475 feet, and it was traveling at 183 knots at the time of the crash, according to NTSB officials. The EPA confirmed there was no hazardous material cargo onboard the aircraft.

UPS jets are parked at the Worldport package sorting complex at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in Louisville, Ky.

UPS jets are parked at the Worldport package sorting complex at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, Thursday, in Louisville, Ky.  (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

At least 12 people are dead, including the three crew members onboard and a young child, and 11 others on the ground were injured, Beshear said. Others are still unaccounted for.

“This continues to be an incredibly sad time for our entire UPS family, and as our CEO, Carol Tomé reminded us: ‘United, we are strong,’” Cesarone wrote. “We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of our colleagues, and to the loved ones of those in the Louisville community.”

Though the cause of the crash has not yet been released, NTSB officials said Wednesday the left engine detached from the plane and was found on the airfield.

On Thursday, the NTSB confirmed data was successfully recovered from the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, commonly known as the “black box,” at a Washington, D.C. lab.

NTSB officials on Thursday said the plane was in San Antonio, Texas, for six weeks prior to the crash, and that it may have been used as a replacement shortly before take-off due to maintenance issues with the originally scheduled aircraft.

The ATC tower is seen while smoke rises from the crash site of UPS Flight 2976 near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, in Louisville, Ky.

The ATC tower is seen while smoke rises from the crash site of UPS Flight 2976 near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Wednesday, in Louisville, Ky.  (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

The EPA is working closely with state and local agencies, along with UPS, to clean up oil released into nearby streams that flow into the Salt and Ohio rivers.

EPA officials said the agency will remain on site to ensure clean air, land and water for nearby residents.

The NTSB confirmed the FBI is assisting with the investigation “under a longstanding Interagency agreement.”

The Louisville airport is home to UPS Worldport, a global hub for the shipping company’s air cargo operations and its largest package-handling facility worldwide.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
MLB news: Chicago White Sox add Japanese baseball star Munetaka Murakami with $34 million, 2-year contract

White Sox Secure Japanese Sensation Munetaka Murakami with $34 Million, Two-Year Deal

CHICAGO — In a strategic move to bolster their lineup, the Chicago…
MFTK holds 2nd annual Spartan Showcase in Jacksonville

MFTK Hosts Thrilling Second Spartan Showcase Event in Jacksonville

High school athletes from across the southern United States gathered at the…
Could buying enough Powerball tickets guarantee a win?

Cracking the Powerball Code: Can Purchasing Tickets in Bulk Secure a Jackpot Victory?

With the astronomical odds of 1 in 292 million, securing a Powerball…
San Francisco power outage puts 130,000 in the dark, as self-driving car service stops vehicles in the street

Massive San Francisco Power Outage Leaves 130,000 Residents in Darkness, Halts Self-Driving Car Services

A significant power outage swept across vast areas of San Francisco on…
Israeli diaspora minister says Australia should have seen 'writing on the wall' before terror attack

Israeli Minister Urges Australia to Heed Warning Signs Before Terror Attacks: A Call for Global Vigilance

Amichai Chikli, Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, expressed that…
Zohran Mamdani Criticized for ‘Staged’ Hanukkah Clip with Actor Mandy Patinkin

Zohran Mamdani Faces Backlash Over Allegedly ‘Staged’ Hanukkah Video Featuring Actor Mandy Patinkin

The recent Hanukkah video featuring Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani alongside actor Mandy Patinkin…
Jacksonville domestic violence incidents highlight uptick often seen during holiday season

Holiday Surge: Unveiling the Alarming Rise in Jacksonville Domestic Violence Cases

This week in Jacksonville, Florida, the community was rocked by two separate…
Iran executes man convicted of spying for Israeli intelligence

Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spy: Unveiling the High-Stakes Espionage Drama

Over the weekend, Iranian authorities executed a man accused of espionage on…
NFL news: After Chicago Bears' stunning win over Green Bay Packers, here's what they need to clinch playoff spot

NFL Update: Analyzing the Chicago Bears’ Path to the Playoffs Following Their Impressive Victory Over the Green Bay Packers

CHICAGO (WLS) — Following the Chicago Bears’ thrilling triumph over the Green…
Rob Reiner's son Nick appears in court for first time in parents' murder case

Hollywood Scion Nick Reiner Enlists Renowned Defense Lawyer Following Shocking Arrest in Parents’ Murder Case

Defense attorney Alan Jackson has announced that he is representing Nick Reiner,…
Hidden holiday heart risks: Why heart attacks spike during the festive season

Unwrapping the Hidden Dangers: Why Heart Attacks Surge During the Festive Season

As the holiday season unfolds, many of us find ourselves indulging in…
Former classmate says suspect in Brown, MIT killings was ‘socially awkward’ and ‘angry’ during college years

Ex-Classmate Reveals College Years of MIT and Brown Murder Suspect: ‘Socially Awkward and Angry

Reflecting on the tragic events at Brown University and MIT, a former…