UPS Worldport Air Hub at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

By Joe Lombardi From Daily Voice

Nine people remain missing after a UPS cargo jet crashed shortly after takeoff, leaving at least 13 dead as investigators recover the flight data recorder and families await word.

The aircraft went down Tuesday, Nov. 4, near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport while departing for Honolulu, according to authorities. 

The jet caught fire after takeoff, and witnesses reported the left engine ignited and then detached. 

The impact and subsequent blaze carved a half-mile-long trail of destruction near UPS’s Worldport hub, the company’s largest sorting and logistics facility. Emergency crews poured into the area, battling intense flames and debris while launching search and rescue operations across a wide debris field.

UPS said three pilots were on board and have been identified as Capt. Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Capt. Dana Diamond. All three were among the dead. 

Family members gathered at designated assistance centers as recovery teams worked to identify victims and locate the missing.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are leading the investigation after recovering the plane’s black box. 

The agencies will analyze cockpit voice and flight data recordings, examine the failed left engine, and map the wreckage path to determine sequence and cause. Investigators will also review maintenance records, cargo manifests, and air traffic control communications.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency to speed resources and coordination for the response.