THREE pilots killed in the horror UPS cargo jet crash in Kentucky have been identified.
A mum-of-two is also feared to be among the 12 victims who perished on the ground.
UPS confirmed Thursday that Capt. Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Capt. Dana Diamond were operating the jet when tragedy struck.
The company said in a statement: “Words can’t express the sorrow we feel over the heartbreaking Flight 2976 accident.
“This continues to be an incredibly sad time for our entire UPS family, and as our CEO, Carol Tomé reminded us: ‘United, we are strong.’”
The plane went down shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening.
Read more on the UPS jet crash
JET DISASTER
Cargo plane crashed & exploded after engine FELL OFF, investigators say
FULL OF FUEL
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Authorities believe the jet was reportedly carrying more than 38,000 gallons of fuel when erupted into a massive fireball, engulfing several nearby businesses in flames.
Twelve people have been confirmed dead, including a child, with at least nine others still missing.
Among those unaccounted for is mum-of-two Angela “Angie” Anderson, from Louisville.
The 45-year-old was reportedly at the Grade A Auto Parts & Scrap Metal Recycling facility when the jet slammed into the area.
Angela’s boyfriend, Donald Henderson, 55, said she had gone to the scrap yard to drop off some metal the couple wanted to clear out.
Explaining he stayed behind because he was exhausted after work, Henderson told local outlet WDRB: “She wanted to take it, get rid of it, and I was like, ‘Go, go ahead. So she took off.’”
“She’s all I got,” he said tearfully.
Her friend Angel O’Rafferty pleaded for prayers in a Facebook post, writing: “Angela Anderson!!! I love you with all my heart. PLEASE GOD bring her to safety along with the others that have not been found from The Plane Wreck in Louisville, Kentucky.”
O’Rafferty said Angela had arrived at the site at 5.11pm, just one minute before the crash.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said Thursday that officials believe they’ve located the remains of the three UPS crew members, though identities of other victims have not been confirmed.
“Our hope is that we have located all the victims at this point, but we don’t know,” Greenberg said.
At least 15 people were injured, including Matt Sweets, who reportedly suffered burns over 95 per cent of his body and remains in critical condition.
A GoFundMe page launched by his family has raised more than $44,000.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said one of the plane’s three engines detached from its left wing as it accelerated for takeoff.
The aircraft, a 34-year-old wide-body jet, was bound for Hawaii and had recently spent six weeks in San Antonio, Texas.
But UPS told investigators “no work had been done” on it prior to its departure from Louisville.
Investigators have since recovered the black box and are analysing the data to determine what caused the catastrophic failure.
Mayor Greenberg described the crash site as “worse than the movies,” with the post-impact fire stretching nearly half a mile.
As crews continue to sift through wreckage and debris, families like Angela Anderson’s are still clinging to hope.
William Moreland, father of her two children, said: “We come over here and see what’s going on.
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