Local officials have released the identities of all 14 victims of the recent UPS cargo plane crash near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. The announcement came on Wednesday, Nov. 12, just over a week after the deadly incident.
The victims are Capt. Dana Diamond, 62; Capt. Richard Wartenberg, 57; First Officer Lee Truitt, 45; Angela Anderson, 45; Carlos Fernandez, 52; Trinadette “Trina” Chavez, 37; Tony Crain, 65; John Loucks, 52; John Spray, 45; Matthew Sweets, 37; Ella Petty Whorton, 31; Megan Washburn, 35; Louisnes Fedon, 47; and Fedon’s 3-year-old granddaughter, Kimberly Asa.
Diamond, Wartenberg and Truitt had previously been identified as UPS pilots.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said officials do not believe there are additional fatalities.
“Our city feels the full weight of this unimaginable tragedy,” Greenberg shared during a Wednesday press conference. “Behind every one of these names is a circle of family, friends, stories that will forever be unfinished.”
UPS issued a statement expressing gratitude toward the coroner’s office for its work and extending condolences to the families of the victims.
The cargo plane was en route from Louisville to Honolulu, Hawaii, when it crashed around 5:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Nov. 4, according to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Todd Inman.
A preliminary investigation found that three people were onboard the aircraft when a “large plume of fire” appeared near the left wing during takeoff, Inman said. The plane gained enough altitude to clear a fence at the runway’s end but then collided with several structures beyond airport property.
The resulting fire stretched for nearly half a mile, Inman added. The aircraft’s black box was recovered.
Sean Garber, whose business was impacted by the explosion, told NBC News that the victims outside the aircraft were either employees or customers at Grade A Auto Parts and Scrap Metal Recycling.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear urged the community to support those affected, calling the event “catastrophic.”
Jefferson County Coroner Jo-Ann Farmer said the identification process used DNA, medical and dental records, and was completed within the past 24 hours. She reflected on the emotional toll of the work, saying, “If I get used to this and it doesn’t bother me, I’m in the wrong profession.”
Greenberg concluded the press conference with a message to grieving families, promising ongoing support “in the weeks, months and year ahead,” and adding, “May each of your loved ones’ memories be a blessing.”
