14 Killed in UPS Plane Crash in Louisville; No Additional Deaths Expected

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A UPS cargo plane crashed at Louisville International Airport on November 7, killing 14 people, including three crew members. The crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. as theMD-11 aircraft was taking off for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.

According to Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, the death toll is not expected to rise further as authorities confirmed all missing individuals have been accounted for. Among the deceased are Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Officer Captain Dana Diamond.

The plane was fully fueled for its long journey, carrying approximately 38,000 gallons of fuel, which contributed to the extensive fire that ensued. First responders worked for over six hours to extinguish the flames, with the fire contained by 11 p.m. on the night of the crash. It took more than 100 personnel to get the situation under control.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation and has retrieved the aircraft's black box for analysis. The investigation is expected to take a year or more.

At this time, local authorities have recommended that residents near the crash site avoid drinking water and remain indoors. A State of Emergency has been declared to expedite the response efforts.

Emergency operations at UPS Worldport were halted immediately after the incident but have since resumed most services, with flights normalizing by Thursday. No hazardous materials were onboard the flight, and safety measures continue to be implemented at affected facilities.