Death Toll in UPS Airplane Explosion Rises to 14

Louisville, KY (WorkersCompensation.com) – The number killed in the explosion of a UPS plane in Louisville has risen to 14.

Officials said at least nine people are still missing. Thirteen people have been discharged from University of Louisville Health with injuries related to the crash.

The cargo plane, was taking off from Louisville International Airport and heading toward Honolulu, Hawaii on Nov. 5 when it lost an engine. After reaching a maximum altitude of 175 feet, the plane exploded sending flames and a cloud of black smoke into the air. Areas surrounding the airport were shut down, and some workers claimed they were trapped at work because of the fire. Areas of Louisville were placed under shelter-in-place orders because of the smoke.

Three of the dead were identified as crew members on the plane - Captain Richard Wartenberg, of Independence, Ky.; First Officer Lee Truitt, of Albuquerque, N.M.; and International Relief Officer Captain Dana Diamond, of Caldwell, Texas.

The plane carried about 38,000 pounds of fuel, officials said, which led to a massive fire. Officials said the fire spread to nearby facilities in the predominantly industrial area.

Louisville mayor Craig Greenberg said the city is mourning the workers.

"My heart is with the families, friends and colleagues of all who were lost in this week’s tragedy. We will get through this together," Greenberg said.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, a review of the cockpit voice recorder showed the crew completed their standard checklist and the initial takeoff was uneventful.

“About 37 seconds after the crew called for takeoff thrust, a repeating bell was heard" Todd Inman, a spokesperson for the NTSB said during a press briefing on Friday. Inman said the bell persisted until the end of the recording nearly 30 seconds later.

"During this time the crew engaged in efforts to attempt to control the aircraft before the crash," he said.

Officials believe the alarm may have indicated there was a fire. One side of the plane appeared to be on fire in video of the incident. However, Inman said he wouldn’t speculate on the cause.

"The FDR [flight data recorder] data and the examination by the groups on that will give us a lot more granularity and be able to help paint a better picture," he said.

Pieces of the wreckage are being inspected, he said.

Two businesses were also hit during the crash - Grade A Auto Parts and Kentucky Petroleum Recycling.

Greenberg said most of the victims had been located on top of debris or had been easily visible. Now search and rescue teams are beginning to look through the layers of debris for additional victims.

In a social media video, UPS Exec. VP Nando Cesarone, extended the company’s thoughts to the victims’ families.

"I want to first express my deep sorrow for this heartbreaking event and stress that our current focus is on the needs of all of those affected," Cesarone said. "On behalf of all UPS employees worldwide, please know that our thoughts are with all of those affected, as well as their family members and the entire Louisville community."

While the UPS Worldport facility has shut down because of the incident, officials said it had since re-opened.

UPS spokesperson Jim Mayer said the facility had resumed operations for the Next Day Air (Night Sort) operation.

"Our goal is to begin returning the network to a normal cadence with flights arriving at destinations on Thursday morning," Mayer said.

Fifteen people were injured and taken to UofL Health to be treated. The injuries ranged from minor to severe burns, blast injuries, shrapnel injuries and smoke inhalation injuries.

Two remain in critical condition.

Ky. Gov. Andy Beshear said first responders were moving into recovery mode instead of rescue mode, as they did not anticipate finding anyone else alive.

Not all of the dead were workers. Two killed in the crash were a grandfather, Louisnes Fedon, and his 3-year-old granddaughter, Kimberly Asa. A family friend said the two would go to a recycling plant near the crash site and collect metal for income.

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