Fri Nov 07 15:20:00 UTC 2025: Tragedy in Louisville: UPS Plane Crash Death Toll Rises to 14, Investigation Underway

Louisville, KY – The death toll from Tuesday’s UPS plane crash near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport has risen to 14, officials announced Friday. The crash involved a UPS McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter, Flight 2976, bound for Honolulu. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff, erupting in flames.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed that a victim was located at the crash site Friday. He also stated that the three pilots on board were believed to be among those killed, along with nine individuals who were thought to be near the crash site.

UPS has identified the pilots as Capt. Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Capt. Dana Diamond.

The coroner is working to identify the remaining victims. So far, two of the victims have been identified by a family friend as Louisnes Fedon and his 3-year-old granddaughter, Kimberly Asa.

“Words can’t express the sorrow we feel over the heartbreaking Flight 2976 accident,” said Nando Cesarone, UPS Executive Vice President for U.S. and UPS Airlines, in a statement released Thursday. “Our hearts go out to every UPSer who has been impacted and all in our Louisville community.”

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation. Preliminary findings suggest the plane’s left engine detached after a fire erupted from the left wing. The aircraft’s last reported altitude was approximately 100 feet above ground level.

The NTSB is examining maintenance records, particularly focusing on work done during the plane’s six-week stay in San Antonio prior to the flight. The plane did not require any maintenance the day of the crash.

The crash impacted two businesses on the ground. The FBI, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting in the investigation.

Despite the tragedy, all three runways at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport have reopened, and the airfield is fully operational.

“I sincerely appreciate the SDF Public Safety Department for their quick response… as well as the actions of so many mutual aid agencies,” said Louisville Regional Airport Authority Executive Director Dan Mann.

The NTSB has not yet released a preliminary report or determined the probable cause of the crash.

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