Freight carrier UPS has officially identified the three crew members who died when their cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff in Louisville on November 4: Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt and International Relief Officer Captain Dana Diamond.
At least twelve people were killed and more than fifteen others were injured when the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo jet burst into flames near the runway of Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport. The aircraft was bound for Honolulu, carrying significant fuel and cargo weight at the time of the accident.
Federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report that the plane’s left engine detached during the takeoff roll—a rare and catastrophic failure event. The entire hub at UPS’s Louisville Worldport facility was temporarily shut down in the crash’s aftermath.
In a statement, UPS expressed deep sorrow for the loss of its crew and affirmed full cooperation with investigators. The company is providing support to staff and families impacted by the disaster, while community memorials and vigils are being held to honor the victims and first responders.