A repeating bell sounded within the cockpit for 25 seconds as pilots tried to regulate a UPS cargo aircraft that caught hearth, had an engine fall off and crashed throughout takeoff this week in Louisville, Kentucky, a Nationwide Transportation Security Board member mentioned Friday. The crash killed not less than 14 individuals, together with the three pilots on board.
The cockpit voice recorder captured a persistent bell that started about 37 seconds after the crew referred to as for takeoff thrust, and the bell continued till the recording ended, which investigators consider was the ultimate level of influence, NTSB member Todd Inman mentioned.
Inman mentioned there might be several types of alarms with various meanings, however investigators know there was a hearth within the aircraft’s left wing and can use flight information to assist decide a clearer image of what occurred.
The NTSB is main the investigation. Inman mentioned it will be months earlier than the transcript of the cockpit recording is made public as a part of that investigation course of.
Jeff Guzzetti, a former federal crash investigator, instructed The Related Press the bell seemingly was signaling the engine hearth.
This photograph offered by the Nationwide Transportation Security Board exhibits the UPS aircraft crash scene on Nov. 6, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky.
NTSB through AP
The crash occurred Tuesday at UPS Worldport, the corporate’s world aviation hub in Louisville. Dramatic video captured the plane crashing into companies and erupting in a fireball. Footage from telephones, vehicles and safety cameras has given investigators visible proof of what occurred from many various angles.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg reported Friday night on social media that one other physique was discovered on the crash website, bringing the “total number of known fatalities” to not less than 14.
UPS on Thursday recognized the three pilots who had been on board the aircraft as Capt. Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt and Worldwide Aid Officer Capt. Dana Diamond.
Travis mentioned his group is working with NTSB investigators, however says he has little doubt the crew did all the pieces they may to forestall this consequence. “Our training is robust,” Travis mentioned. “Repeatedly, you are facing what it’s like to fly the aircraft if you’re missing an engine, or in some cases, two. As we witnessed on the video there, to me looked instantaneous, and it looked catastrophic.”
Travis mentioned it’s his “belief” that, given the circumstances, there was not a lot the pilots may have executed.
“That’s my belief,” Travis mentioned. “It looked like a pretty, pretty hard situation to overcome.”
Travis mentioned the union will proceed to face with the survivors and victims’ households.
Tom Hanson
contributed to this report.
Extra from CBS Information
