Death toll in Louisville UPS plane crash rises to 13

Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The death toll from a cargo plane crash in Louisville, Ky., has risen to 13, officials announced Thursday.

UPS flight 2976 crashed on takeoff Tuesday. Video from the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport shows the plane completely engulfed in flames, careening down the runway with one of its wings straight up in the air, leaving a massive trail of fire and smoke in its path. Investigators later confirmed that the plane's left wing caught on fire.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced on social media that he learned of the 13th victim on his way to a teamsters vigil for those killed in the crash.

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

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In its preliminary report, the National Transportation Safety Board said the last transmission of data from the plane came at 5:13 p.m. EST on Tuesday when it was at an altitude of 475 feet traveling at a speed of 183 knots, based on information from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The NTSB recovered multiple pieces of engine fan blades and the main component of the plane's left engine. The report said investigators would examine the wreckage while it works to determine the cause of the crash.

The plane had been in Texas in recent weeks for repairs. Federal Aviation Administration records dated Sept. 18 said a crack on a structural piece inside the center wing fuel tank required repairs.

The NTSB confirmed that it had recovered the plane's data and voice recorders, built to sustain intense heat from a fire. The weather was clear at the time of the accident. Greenberg is calling on the public for assistance that may help determine a cause.

"If you find any debris on your property-whether at your home or business-please notify the @NTSB," Greenberg said on X. "It could play a vital role in the investigation."

Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt and International Relief Officer Captain Dana Diamond, who were operating flight 2976, were among those killed on the flight, which was bound for Honolulu, according to a Thursday statement by UPS.

"Words can't express the sorry we feel over the heartbreaking Flight 2976 accident," Nando Cesarone, UPS chief executive vice president of U.S. & UPS Airlines, said in the statement. "It's with great sorrow that we share the names of the pilots on board UPS Flight 2976."

The statement said employees would receive support and resources they need to deal with the tragedy.

On Thursday, the airport reopened runway 17/R 35/L 35, where the accident occurred, making all of the facility's runways operational again.