7 Nov 2025 | 1300 ET: This text has been up to date to incorporate the newest verified data.
The dying toll in Tuesday’s crash of UPS Flight 2976 has risen to 13, with 9 folks nonetheless lacking, in accordance with Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. One of many injured victims hospitalized earlier within the week has since died.
For the primary 48 hours after the crash, the location needed to stay largely untouched as NTSB investigators documented proof and mapped particles patterns. As of Friday morning, investigators have begun a extra detailed search via the wreckage for extra clues and potential victims.
Crew Members Recognized
On Thursday, 6 November, UPS Government Vice President Nando Cesarone recognized the three crew members aboard the ill-fated flight:
Captain Richard Wartenberg, Independence, KentuckyFirst Officer Lee Truitt, Albuquerque, New MexicoInternational Reduction Officer Captain Dana Diamond, Caldwell, Texas
In an announcement, Cesarone stated:
Phrases can’t specific the sorrow we really feel over the heartbreaking Flight 2976 accident. It’s with nice sorrow that we share the names of the UPS pilots on board UPS Flight 2976.
Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Worldwide Reduction Officer Captain Dana Diamond have been working the flight. Our hearts exit to each UPSer who has been impacted and all in our Louisville neighborhood – supporting you and making certain you obtain the care and sources you want is our precedence.
This continues to be an extremely unhappy time for our total UPS household, and as our CEO, Carol Tomé reminded us: ‘United, we’re sturdy.’ We lengthen our deepest sympathies to the household and associates of our colleagues, and to the family members of these within the Louisville neighborhood.
Assertion by UPS Government Vice President Nando Cesarone
Accident Overview
The plane, a 34-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD-11F (registration N259UP), was sure for Daniel Ok. Inouye Worldwide Airport (HNL) in Honolulu when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Runway 17R at Louisville Muhammad Ali Worldwide Airport (SDF) on 4 November 2025.
Flight 2976 started its taxi at roughly 1710 native time, with takeoff recorded at 1713. Inside seconds, witnesses reported a fireplace beneath the left wing.
NTSB investigators have confirmed that the plane suffered a left engine separation throughout takeoff. The MD-11 is powered by three Basic Electrical CF6-80C2D1F engines.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
Dashcam and CCTV footage across the airport captured the second the plane took off with out its primary (left) engine, which indifferent throughout the takeoff roll because the left wing burned intensely. Unable to abort after reaching V1 pace, the crew continued the takeoff.
The plane lifted off briefly, veering left of the runway centerline earlier than banking additional and coming into a descending left flip. It struck a UPS Provide Chain warehouse south of the airfield, carving a 300-foot gash via the construction.
The left wing then struck a cluster of gas tanks on the Kentucky Petroleum Recycling Firm, triggering an enormous explosion and fireball seen throughout Louisville. The MD-11 rolled inverted earlier than crashing via an auto scrap yard, a truck parking zone, and an auto components retailer, leaving a half-mile-long path of destruction.
The primary engine was later discovered mendacity on the grass beside Runway 17R.
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ONGOING INVESTIGATION
A 28-member NTSB Go-Workforce stays in Louisville conducting the investigation. Lead investigator Todd Inman confirmed that the black field knowledge has been efficiently downloaded, calling it a “good extraction.”
In response to the NTSB, the ultimate ADS-B transmission was acquired at 17:13:32, displaying the plane reached a most altitude of 475 ft and a pace of 183 knots (211 mph).
A serious focus of the investigation is now on the upkeep historical past of the plane. Information present the jet underwent six weeks of upkeep work in San Antonio, Texas, between September 3 and October 18.
In response to FAA documentation dated 18 September, upkeep crews discovered a crack and corrosion inside the middle wing gas tank that required restore. After returning to service, N259UP flew quite a few cargo routes with out reported points. The NTSB confirmed that no upkeep work was carried out on the day of the crash, regardless of early studies suggesting in any other case.
A drone video launched by the NTSB reveals the particles discipline and injury sample throughout the crash website:
EDITOR’S NOTE: We at AvGeekery and the whole aviation neighborhood mourn the crew of UPS Flight 2976, professionals who took to the skies in service, and whose ultimate flight won’t ever be forgotten. Blue skies and tailwinds, all the time.
