Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced on Thursday night that Alain Rodriguez Colina, the 15th victim of the UPS plane crash in early November, has sadly passed away after nearly two months in the hospital. Colina succumbed to his injuries on Christmas morning, as revealed in a Facebook post by the mayor.
The UPS Flight 2976 crash, which resulted in Colina’s death, claimed a total of 15 lives. The tragic incident occurred on November 4 when the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft, carrying 38,000 gallons of fuel, exploded shortly after departing from Kentucky’s Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville.
In the aftermath of the crash, social media circulated images and videos showing the plane engulfed in flames. Following the explosion, firefighters were swiftly dispatched to the scene to combat fires that erupted. Local authorities urged residents to report any debris found to aid investigations into the cause of the disaster.
Among the victims identified were Alain Rodriguez Colina, Capt. Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Capt. Dana Diamond, who were the crew members aboard Flight 2976. The local coroner’s office completed the process of recovering and identifying the victims’ remains eight days after the tragic incident.
Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash, with the full inquiry expected to last about a year. Dramatic photos released by federal investigators in late November showed an engine detaching from the UPS cargo plane before flames erupted.
Former federal crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti highlighted that the aircraft was due for maintenance but raised questions about the inspection frequency. Aviation specialist John Cox explained that fatigue cracks are common in aircraft due to wear and tear, emphasizing the importance of proper inspection and maintenance procedures.
As investigations continue, the aviation community awaits further details to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the UPS plane crash.