UPS management and pilots honored pilot Capt. Dana Diamond in Louisville before his remains were sent to his family near Dallas.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A UPS pilot killed in a tragic plane crash in Louisville nearly two weeks ago has been given a final salute.
A group of UPS management and Independent Pilots Association pilots held a sendoff for Diamond on Friday as his remains were placed aboard an American Airlines flight to be returned to his family.
The somber scene captured by the IPA showed the pilots saluting plane as it took off enroute to Dallas.
The 62-year-old was one of three UPS crew members who lost their lives when the cargo jet crashed during takeoff. Eleven others were also killed and dozens others injured who were in the vicinity of the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed the plane’s left engine caught fire and detached during takeoff. The aircraft was carrying 38,000 gallons of fuel, creating a massive fireball that spread to Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and other nearby businesses.
NTSB investigators say a persistent bell was heard in the final recording from inside the cockpit.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing.
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, or visit our Facebook page or X feed.