LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Former colleagues are mourning three pilots killed in a UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, as relatives of a man who was…
Former colleagues are mourning three pilots killed in a UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, as relatives of a man who was pulled from the wreckage confirm he’s among those who died.
Capt. Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt and International Relief Officer Capt. Dana Diamond were on board when the crash happened during takeoff Tuesday at UPS Worldport, the company’s global aviation hub located at Muhammad Ali International Airport.
At least 10 others died, including Matt Sweets, who suffered widespread burn wounds. Many of the victims still have not been identified.
Todd Inman of the National Transportation Safety Board, which is leading the ongoing investigation, has said the plane had been cleared for takeoff when a large fire developed in the left wing and an engine fell off. A recording indicates a repeating bell sounded in the cockpit for 25 seconds as pilots tried to control the aircraft, Inman said Friday.
Dramatic video captured the aircraft crashing into businesses and erupting in a fireball. Footage from phones, cars and security cameras has helped investigators piece together what happened from many different angles.
From 1994 until 2016, Wartenberg served with the 445th Airlift Wing at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, according to a statement from the wing.
The retired lieutenant colonel and former reservist received his commission through Air Force Officer Training School and throughout his career had qualifications in the C-141 Starlifter, C-5 Galaxy and the C-17 Globemaster III.
