Investigators will remain at the crash site for ‘as long as it takes’
A DEVASTATING new video shows the scorched aftermath of the UPS plane crash that left twelve people dead in Kentucky.
Released by National Transportation Safety Review Board investigators on Friday, the footage shows an aerial view of the crash site after the UPS cargo plane crashed in a fiery wreck and left a massive path of destruction in its wake.
The plane – a McDonnell Douglas 11F – erupted into an immense fireball upon impact as it struck a petroleum recycling factory on Wednesday.
As seen in the video, the NTSB used drones to map out the debris field stretching hundreds of feet, plowing through an industrial park and at least two businesses, including a car parts yard, near the Louisville International Airport.
“We are still in the fact-gathering phase of our investigation,” NTSB board member Todd Inman said of the incident in a media briefing on Friday.
“The debris field itself is still active, in more ways than one,” Inman said.
He also noted that there were several “spot fires” popping up in the crash site.
“We will be here as long as it takes,” Inman said.
“We’re not going to leave until we know we’ve secured all of the perishable evidence and all of the information that will be necessary to come out with the most comprehensive investigative report.”
Over 100 first responders have been actively attempting to secure the scene.
Three pilots on board – Capt. Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Capt. Dana Diamond – were killed in the impact.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed nine other people had perished in the crash, including a child, and at least nine more were still unaccounted for, with at least 15 injured.
“We believe we have at least three fatalities. I believe that number is going to get larger,” he said.
“Anybody who has seen the images in the video know how violent this crash is.”
The plane had been en route to Honolulu, Hawaii, and was carrying 38,000 gallons of fuel to make it through the 12-hour journey.
One of the plane’s three engines had detached from the left wing as it was taking off, per the NTSB.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/news/15458102/terrifying-video-ups-cargo-plane-crash-louisville