LOUISVILLE, KY — Heartbreak continues to spread across Louisville after the catastrophic crash of UPS Flight 2976 near Grade Lane and Fern Valley Road, leaving families mourning and others still searching for loved ones. Among the missing is Ella Petty Whorton, who was last seen at Grade A Auto Parts, a business that was struck and destroyed when the cargo plane went down. Whorton, known for her frequent visits to drop off scrap metal, was confirmed to have been at the business shortly before the tragedy occurred. Her family and coworkers are clinging to hope, praying she will be found.
The crash on November 4, 2025, claimed the lives of several people and destroyed multiple structures in an industrial area near the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. The impact caused a massive fireball after the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo plane carrying 38,000 gallons of fuel plummeted to the ground. Grade A Auto Parts suffered a total loss—both structurally and emotionally—as flames engulfed the site, taking with them the lives of hardworking employees and loyal friends.
Among those who lost their lives were Megan Washburn, 35, a scrap metal buyer and devoted mother of two; John Loucks, 52, a heavy equipment operator known for his kindness and work ethic; and Matt “Matty” Sweets, a University of Louisville business graduate remembered as a loving partner and father. The tragedy also claimed Louisnes “Lou” Fedon and his young granddaughter Kimberly Asa, who were caught in the wrong place at the wrong time when the plane crashed nearby.
UPS confirmed that the three flight crew members aboard the aircraft — Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Captain Dana Diamond — also lost their lives. Each was a respected professional remembered for their dedication and service.
Sean Garber, owner and CEO of Grade A Auto Parts, expressed the deep pain and disbelief shared by his team. “Nobody can comprehend an airplane crashing into your business, destroying it, taking fellow team members away from us,” Garber said. He added that the company’s focus now is on helping affected families and seeking accountability for how such a tragedy occurred.
As investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) work to determine the cause, the Louisville community stands united in grief. Candlelight vigils and fundraisers have been organized to support families as they hold on to faith, hope, and the strength to heal.
