NTSB releases aerial drone footage of UPS plane crash site in Louisville
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- NTSB released drone footage showing burned debris field near Louisville airport.
- Crash of UPS Flight 2976 killed at least 13, left engine detached after takeoff.
- NTSB will examine maintenance history and investigators continue debris searches.
The National Transportation Safety Board has released aerial drone footage of the site where a UPS plane crashed in Louisville, killing at least 13 people earlier this week.
The video, posted on the NTSB’s YouTube page, shows investigators reviewing a map of the crash site and launching drones to gather footage. It also shows a large, burned debris field a short distance from Muhammad Ali International Airport.
The crash happened shortly before 5:15 p.m. Tuesday as UPS Flight 2976 was leaving the airport in Louisville bound for Honolulu, killing at least 13 people, including the three UPS crew members, and injuring several others. NTSB Member Todd Inman said Wednesday airport video showed the left engine of the MD-11 McDonnell Douglas aircraft detaching soon after takeoff.
A satellite imaging company also released photos that were taken about 18 hours after the crash, showing a 90-meter scar on top of a UPS warehouse next to the airport, a large path of debris about a half-mile long and burned vehicles and pavement from the wake of the fiery crash.
Inman said Thursday the full maintenance history of the UPS plane will be examined to further determine what led to the crash. The plane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, had previously undergone six weeks of maintenance in September and October in San Antonio.
Members of the UPS crew were identified as Capt. Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt and International Relief Officer Capt. Dana Diamond. Wartenberg was from Independence, while Truitt and Diamond were from out of state.
“Words can’t express the sorrow we feel over the heartbreaking Flight 2976 accident,” Nando Cesarone, the company’s executive vice president of U.S. and UPS Airlines, said in a statement. “We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of our colleagues, and to the loved ones of those in the Louisville community.”
Another victim of the crash was Matt Sweets, who died from injuries caused by the crash.
Identities of the other victims have not been released as of Friday. Gov. Andy Beshear said Wednesday additional testing may be needed to confirm some identities.
Nine people also remained missing as of Thursday morning, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said. Search and rescue teams were “delayering” the debris to try to find other possible victims.
Two businesses, GFL Environmental and Grade A Auto Parts, both located south of UPS Worldport, were “hit pretty directly,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear previously said.
The NTSB is scheduled to have another news conference on Friday at 3 p.m.
