Authorities Release Names of 14 Killed in Louisville UPS Crash
Authorities in Louisville, Kentucky, released the names of all 14 people killed in the crash of a UPS cargo plane on November 4, marking the deadliest accident in the company's history. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff from Muhammad Ali International Airport, when the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft veered out of control and struck an industrial area just south of the runway, killing three crew members and 11 people on the ground.
The plane, operating as UPS Flight 2976, was carrying approximately 50,000 gallons of fuel when its left engine detached during the takeoff roll, according to preliminary findings from the National Transportation Safety Board. Investigators reviewed airport security footage that captured the engine separating from the wing, followed by the aircraft plummeting to the ground at speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour. The resulting impact caused a massive fireball and explosions, damaging a petroleum recycling facility and a nearby auto parts business. The crash site spanned about half a mile, and the airport was temporarily closed as emergency crews responded.
The crew members aboard the flight were Captain Richard Wartenberg, 57, of Missouri;...