Louisville Plane Crash Claims Lives of UPS Pilots Richard Warternberg, Dana Diamond, and Lee Truitt
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY — United Parcel Service (UPS) has confirmed the identities of the three flight crew members who tragically lost their lives in the crash of UPS Flight 2976 near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening.
The victims have been identified as:
Captain Richard Wartenberg
Relief Captain Dana Diamond
First Officer Lee Truitt from Albuquerque
In a statement released Thursday, UPS expressed its profound grief over the loss, saying,
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleagues Captain Richard Wartenberg, Relief Captain Dana Diamond, and First Officer Lee Truitt. Our hearts are with their families, friends, and the entire UPS family during this difficult time.”
The three veteran pilots were aboard UPS Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo aircraft, when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville at approximately 5:15 p.m. on November 4, 2025.
The plane was en route to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu when it experienced a catastrophic failure and went down in an industrial area near Grade Lane and Fern Valley Road.
Newly released dashcam footage captured the horrifying final moments of the aircraft as it descended rapidly and erupted into a massive fireball upon impact.
The explosion ignited multiple nearby buildings and vehicles, sending debris and flames into the air and causing widespread destruction throughout the area.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene as dense black smoke billowed over the city. Officials have confirmed at least 12 fatalities, including a young child, with 15 people injured and 16 still unaccounted for.
Authorities caution that the death toll may continue to rise as search and recovery operations progress.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear described the incident as “catastrophic,” urging prayers for the victims, their families, and the first responders.
“That number is going to get larger,” Beshear said during a press briefing, referring to the increasing casualty count as recovery efforts continue.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has assumed control of the investigation. Early video analysis suggests that the plane’s left engine detached from the wing during takeoff, moments before the crash — a key piece of evidence that will play a crucial role in determining the cause of the disaster.
Authorities have also provided the following operational updates:
Death Toll: 12 confirmed fatalities, additional victims expected
Reunification Center: Established at 2911 Taylor Blvd for affected families
Search & Rescue: Ongoing in surrounding structures
Shelter-in-Place: Reduced to a ¼-mile radius around the crash site
Airport Operations: One runway open; Runway 17R/35L closed until November 15
Meanwhile, Louisville Metro Police have issued a public warning about scammers attempting to exploit grieving families by impersonating investigators and demanding payment for information on missing loved ones.
Authorities stressed that no legitimate agency will ever request money in exchange for updates and urged residents to report suspicious communications immediately to LMPD at (502) 574-LMPD (5673).
Additional dashcam footage from nearby motorists showed a massive shockwave rippling across the area as the aircraft exploded on impact, offering investigators valuable insight into one of the most devastating aviation disasters in Louisville’s history.
UPS stated it is working closely with federal authorities and continues to support the families of the victims. The company’s Worldport facility, which serves as its global air hub, remains operational under limited capacity.
Located in Louisville, the 5.2-million-square-foot hub employs over 20,000 people and handles more than 300 flights daily, sorting over 400,000 packages per hour.
Governor Beshear concluded with a message of solidarity:
“Please pray for the pilots, crew, and everyone affected. First responders are onsite, and we will share more information as it becomes available.”
