Local News
Albuquerque pilot Lee Truitt killed in UPS plane crash in Louisville
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY — One of the pilots killed in Tuesday’s devastating UPS Flight 2976 crash near Louisville has been identified as First Officer Lee Truitt, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, the company confirmed Wednesday.
According to UPS, the aircraft was operated by Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
All three crew members tragically lost their lives when the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.
Former colleagues have confirmed that Truitt, a graduate of the University of New Mexico (UNM), previously worked at Cutter Aviation and Bode Aviation before joining UPS.
Known for his professionalism, humility, and passion for aviation, Truitt was widely admired within New Mexico’s aviation community.
The crash, which occurred Tuesday evening, claimed twelve lives in total, including a young child and the three UPS flight crew members.
UPS stated it is fully cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and local authorities as the investigation continues.
According to NTSB member Todd Inman, preliminary findings indicate that the aircraft had been cleared for takeoff when a large fire developed in the left wing, followed by the detachment of one of its engines, moments before the aircraft lost control and crashed.
“The plane was cleared for departure when a significant fire developed in the left wing area, and an engine separated from the aircraft,” Inman said. “Those events are now a primary focus of our investigation.”
Truitt, who served as First Officer on Flight 2976, was remembered by his former employer, Bode Aviation, in a heartfelt statement reflecting the profound loss felt by those who knew him best:
“Lee Truitt will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
Lee was never simply a former employee—he was a cherished friend, a trusted colleague, and a model of what it means to be a true professional aviator. From his earliest days with our organization, Lee demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence, earning the respect and admiration of everyone he worked alongside.
Through diligence, humility, and an unrelenting pursuit of mastery, Lee rose to serve as a Senior Flight Instructor and Charter Pilot, where his discipline, composure, and integrity became the standard by which others measured themselves. His dedication to his craft was matched only by his generosity of spirit—he continually returned to mentor our students and instructors, guiding the next generation of aviators with patience, wisdom, and care.
It was always a genuine pleasure to see Lee walk through our doors, his presence a reminder of the very best qualities in our profession—humility, professionalism, and quiet excellence.
His loss has left a profound void, and many within our company—including myself—are deeply grieving this tragedy.
We hope that everyone will keep Lee’s young family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Though his passing has broken our hearts, the legacy of his kindness, mentorship, and dedication will endure. Lee Truitt will be missed beyond words—and he will forever remain a part of our family.”
As investigators continue to analyze flight data and wreckage, UPS expressed its condolences to the victims’ families, vowing to support the ongoing investigation.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of our colleagues and friends,” UPS said in a statement. “Our deepest sympathies are with their families and everyone affected by this tragedy.”
The NTSB continues to lead the investigation into the cause of the crash, one of the deadliest aviation incidents in recent Kentucky history.
UPDATE: Search efforts have been suspended following the sinking of the commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts, marking another tragic loss for the city’s historic fishing community.
The U.S. Coast Guard was alerted early Friday morning by the vessel’s emergency beacon after it activated in the water; no mayday call was received.
Responders located a debris field, an unoccupied life raft, and one deceased individual in the water.
Six other crew members remain missing and are presumed lost after an extensive air and sea search yielded no additional results.
The Coast Guard cited frigid water temperatures, challenging weather conditions, and the vast search area in its decision to suspend operations.
GLOUCESTER, Mass. — Authorities have identified all seven individuals who lost their lives after the commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean sank approximately 25 miles off Cape Ann, Massachusetts, early Friday morning, marking a devastating loss for Gloucester’s historic fishing community.
The Lily Jean, a commercial fishing vessel measuring between 72 and 80 feet in length and homeported in Gloucester—the nation’s oldest working fishing port—activated its emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) at approximately 6:50 a.m. Friday while returning to port.
No mayday call was received, and subsequent attempts to contact the vessel were unsuccessful.
The U.S. Coast Guard immediately launched a large-scale search and rescue operation, deploying an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and multiple surface assets to the area of the distress signal.
Crews located a debris field and an unoccupied life raft roughly 25 miles offshore near the EPIRB activation site, confirming the vessel had sunk to the ocean floor. One deceased individual was recovered from the water.
The remaining six crew members were later presumed lost after extensive search efforts yielded no additional results.
Officials confirmed that seven people were aboard the vessel at the time of the incident, revising earlier reports that indicated six.
The seven individuals who perished aboard the Lily Jean are:
- John Paul Rousanidis, 33, of Salem/Peabody, Massachusetts
- Sean Therrien, 44, of Lynn/Peabody, Massachusetts
- Freeman Short, of the Marshfield/Scituate area
- Captain Gus Sanfilippo, a well-known and respected Gloucester fisherman
- Paul Beal Sr., deckhand
- Paul Beal Jr., deckhand and son of Paul Beal Sr.
- Jada Samitt, 22, of Virginia
Jada Samitt, the seventh crew member identified, was serving aboard the vessel in the role of a federal fisheries observer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She had recently relocated to Massachusetts to pursue her passion for environmental biology, graduating last year. Family members said joining the Lily Jean crew was her first major professional role at sea and a lifelong dream.
Her aunt, Heather Michaels, described Samitt as a compassionate and driven young woman who deeply respected her captain and dedicated herself fully to her work. “She put her heart and soul into this opportunity,” family members said, noting her commitment to marine conservation and the fishing community.
Officials said the Lily Jean had reported taking on water shortly before contact was lost.
The vessel is now presumed fully submerged.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through Gloucester’s close-knit maritime community.
Ashley Sullivan, a local business owner who knew the vessel’s owner, emphasized the daily risks faced by commercial fishermen. “I hope people really take a moment to understand the sacrifices these men and women make to put food on our tables,” she said. “This is heartbreaking.”
Massachusetts State Senator Bruce Tarr also expressed condolences, highlighting Gloucester’s deep fishing heritage. “Gloucester has a long fishing history, and that history includes tragic loss,” Tarr said. “It appears we are experiencing another of those painful chapters.”
Governor Maura Healey released a statement saying she was “heartbroken over the devastating news out of Gloucester,” adding that her administration has offered full assistance to local officials and the Coast Guard. She extended prayers to the victims’ families and the broader fishing community across Cape Ann and the Commonwealth.
Community members and local businesses have continued to share messages of remembrance and solidarity. Taylor Hunt, a relative of Freeman Short, posted a tribute honoring the crew, writing in part: “The salt has been in our blood for generations… A man is not lost while the sea remembers his name. Fair winds and following seas.”
The Lily Jean had previously been featured on the History Channel series Nor’Easter Men, which documented the dangers and demands of New England’s commercial fishing industry.
While search operations have concluded, the Coast Guard and relevant agencies continue to review the circumstances surrounding the sinking. Officials have stated that further updates will be released as additional information becomes available.
Authorities have urged the public to keep the victims’ families and Gloucester’s fishing community in their thoughts and prayers during this period of profound loss.