LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- It's been two weeks since UPS Flight 2976 crashed trying to take off from Louisville's airport. Fourteen people, including the three pilots aboard the plane, were killed.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11, built in 1991, went down around 5:15 p.m. Nov. 4 after its left wing caught fire. The plane was fully loaded with fuel for the nine-hour flight to Honolulu from UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board the "black box" inside the UPS plane recorded a "repeating bell" sound for the final 25 seconds of the flight.
What we know
Todd Inman, a member of the NTSB, said the takeoff roll was uneventful for the flight as the pilots went through their speed callouts. About 37 seconds after they called for takeoff thrust, Inman said the Cockpit Voice Recorder picked up the bell sound, which continued until the end of the recording, which he said they believe was the moment of impact with the ground south of the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.
Inman said the pilots "engaged in effort to control the aircraft" during those final 25 seconds.
"After being cleared for takeoff, a large plume of fire in the area of the left wing occurred during takeoff roll. The plane lifted off and gained enough altitude to clear the fence at the end of runway 17R," Inman said. "Shortly after clearing that fence, it made impact with structures and terrain off the airport property. A post-impact fire ensued, which covered approximately, almost a half of a mile."
Investigators have reviewed airport security video and said it showed the left engine detaching from the plane during the takeoff roll.
The full CRV audio won't be released by the NTSB, which is standard protocol. But Inman said a CVR group, made up of technical experts on the MD-11, will convene at NTSB headquarters and produce a written transcript of pertinent information. However, Inman said in may be "several months" before that's released.
The week after the flight, Jefferson County Coroner Jo-Ann Farmer released the identifies of the 14 victims:
- Capt. Dana Diamond, 62
- Capt. Richard Wartenberg, 57
- First Officer Lee Truitt, 45
- Angela Anderson, 45
- Carlos Fernandez, 52
- Louisnes Fedon, 47
- Kimberly Asa, 3 (granddaughter of Louisnes Fedon)
- Trinadette "Trina" Chavez, 37
- Tony Crain, 65
- John Loucks, 52
- John Spray Jr., 45
- Matthew Sweets, 37
- Ella Petty Whorton, 31
- Megan Washburn, 35
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear's office also set up a relief fund for those affected by the crash and its aftermath. To donate, click here.
Crash investigation
Flight records suggest the 34-year-old plane underwent maintenance while it was on the ground in San Antonio for more than a month, from September through mid-October, which Inman confirmed. Three different reports were filed in early September. One shows the "center wing upper fuel tank" had a crack in it and needed a permanent repair. The other two reports reveal corrosion in the plane's center cargo area.
Inman said while the flight that crashed was delayed two hours, there's currently no evidence that a maintenance issue played a role prior to takeoff. He said the work in San Antonio could be classified as a "heavy check," adding that they've dispatched additional people to retrieve extensive records from the repairs.
Inman said the CRV showed the plane was going 210 miles per hour at 100 feet of altitude at the last reading retrieved from the crash debris.
FAA grounds MD-11, other planes
Federal aviation officials issued an order for MD-11, MD-10 and DC-10 planes not to be flown pending further inspection. According to the directive from the Federal Aviation Administration, the aircraft have similar unsafe conditions, like "loss of continued safe flight and landing," and will need to be inspected.
UPS operates a fleet of about 500 planes and said all 26 of its MD-11 aircraft remain grounded. The company said it has consolidated flight routes to maximize air capacity while inspections continue.
Help for businesses
Economic Injury Disaster Loans will be available tor some businesses impacted by the fatal crash. Beshear said the Small Business Association approved the request for a Disaster Declaration, clearing the way for help for eligible businesses in Jefferson, Bullitt, Hardin, Oldham, Shelby and Spencer counties.
"In every challenge we face, we act quickly to get the support our people need to overcome," Beshear said in a news release Nov. 18. "These small business loans will help businesses – and our people – recover, which is the support the Louisville community needs and deserves right now."
Jody Meiman, executive director of Louisville Metro Emergency Services, said the SBA be in town to help at the UPS Community Resource Center at 200 High Rise Drive off Fern Valley Road, just east of the airport. Businesses can apply for help through Aug. 17, 2026. To submit an application, click here.
Help for survivors
The Community Resource Center will also offer a broad range of services, including help for those injured in the crash and those who've lost their jobs due to the damage from it. The crash site remains closed as investigators work through the rubble, an area encompassing many industrial businesses that long operated in the area south of the airport's west runways.
Tony Parrott, executive director Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District said 95% of the fuel spill from the crash — about 880,000 gallons of "oily liquids and other runoff" — has been cleaned out of nearby waterways of otherwise contained.
Environmental cleanup
In the days after the crash, Mayor Craig Greenberg said some areas of the site near the airport had 3 or more feet of standing oil after the crash. MSD issued a warning to the community to avoid contact with waterways in the southern part of Jefferson County "due to potentially contaminated runoff from UPS plane crash." Parrott said the warning, although precautionary, will remain in effect until otherwise stated as crews continue assessing waterways over the next few weeks.
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