Young Mother Among Missing After UPS Plane Crash in Louisville

The tragedy surrounding the UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky continues to unfold as families wait for answers. Among the missing is 35-year-old Megan Washburn, a mother of two and an employee at Grade A Auto Parts and Scrap Metal Recycling. Her employer, Sean Garber, said Washburn was working the day of the crash and has not been heard from since. Garber’s company was one of two properties damaged when the aircraft went down.

Garber confirmed that another employee, John Loucks, 52, who operated heavy equipment for the business, is also missing. Both families have provided DNA samples to investigators to help identify remains recovered from the site. “They’re upset, distraught, angry, and scared,” Garber shared. “Every emotion you can imagine, they’re living through it right now.”

Investigation and Recovery Efforts

Todd Inman, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), said officials are continuing to assist families as recovery and investigation efforts progress. “It’s an incredibly difficult time for them,” Inman told reporters after meeting with relatives of the victims.

Earlier this week, investigators retrieved critical flight data and cockpit voice recordings. The recovered audio spans roughly two hours and offers key insights into what happened before impact. According to Inman, the recording was “uneventful” until about 37 seconds after the crew called for takeoff thrust, when a continuous warning bell began sounding. The audio ends about 25 seconds later, which investigators believe coincides with the moment of the crash.

Officials said the plane’s left engine caught fire during takeoff before crashing into several buildings south of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. The impact caused widespread destruction across the industrial area. Garber estimated that four of his company’s 18 buildings were destroyed and that around 20 employees were present at the time. “People had to jump out windows because the heat had melted and blocked the doors,” he recalled.

Lives Lost and Ongoing Grief

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed Friday that the number of known fatalities has risen to 14 after additional remains were found by first responders. Three of the victims were UPS crew members: Capt. Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Capt. Dana Diamond. UPS described all three as experienced professionals deeply respected within their ranks.

Capt. Robert Travis of the Independent Pilots Association, which represents UPS pilots, said the loss has shaken the aviation community. “Two of them I knew personally. They were outstanding pilots and even better people,” Travis said in a statement to The Courier Journal. “We’re heartbroken to lose friends who gave so much to this profession.”

Local officials have not yet released the names of the other victims. The NTSB said it does not disclose individual identities in ongoing investigations, referring inquiries to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.

Garber gathered his employees and their families for a private meeting following the tragedy. “It’s my responsibility to help guide my team through this,” he said. “We’ve lost people we care about, and now we have to take care of those who are still here.”