Man and Granddaughter Among UPS Plane Crash Victims
A tragic incident unfolded two weeks ago when a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff in Louisville, Kentucky. The aircraft, which was bound for Hawaii, reportedly caught fire and lost an engine while departing. It struck two businesses, resulting in a debris field extending for approximately half a mile.
Overview of the UPS Plane Crash Victims
The crash resulted in 14 fatalities, confirmed by Louisville’s coroner. Among those who lost their lives were three UPS crew members, identified as:
- Capt. Richard Wartenberg
- First Officer Lee Truitt
- International Relief Officer Capt. Dana Diamond
Additionally, there were other victims on the ground, as revealed by Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. He expressed condolences via social media, stating:
“Today, I released the names of the 14 victims of the UPS plane crash. On behalf of the entire city, we honor their lives, we grieve with their families, and we stand together in sorrow.”
List of Victims
Mayor Greenberg announced the victims’ identities, which include:
- Angela Anderson, 45
- Carlos Fernandez, 52
- Louisnes Fedon, 47
- Kimberly Asa, 3 (granddaughter of Fedon)
- Trinadette “Trina” Chavez, 37
- Tony Crain, 65
- John Loucks, 52
- John Spray, 45
- Matthew Sweets, 37
- Ella Petty Whorton, 31
- Megan Washburn, 35
The family of Kimberly Asa mentioned that she was very close to her grandfather, Louisnes Fedon, describing the two as “best friends.” Notably, three of the victims were employees at Grade A Auto, one of the businesses impacted by the crash.
Response and Ongoing Investigation
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Mayor Greenberg thanked first responders and the community for their support. An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recovered crucial evidence, including the plane’s black boxes.
Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated that MD-11 aircraft, similar to the one involved in this incident, remain grounded until further notice.
Continued Operations at UPS Louisville Facility
The UPS facility in Louisville, the largest of its kind for the company, employs over 20,000 people. It manages approximately 300 flights daily and sorts more than 400,000 packages every hour. Operations have returned to normal following this unfortunate event.
