At age 62, Captain Dana Diamond served as the International Relief Officer on Flight 2976 — a role that ensured rotation and rest for long‑haul flights like the Honolulu run. Diamond’s aviation journey began decades earlier, with a flight instructor rating for both single and multiengine aircraft awarded in 1985. Over the years, he built an extraordinary career that spanned training, leadership, and service.
Diamond had been a certified flight engineer and airline transport pilot since 2009, rated for both 727 and MD‑11 aircraft. Before relocating to Burleson County, Texas, he lived in Bastrop County, where he served as the Fire Chief for the Rosanky’s 3‑N‑1 Volunteer Fire Department — a role that speaks to his commitment to serving others beyond the cockpit.
Everyone who knew Diamond spoke of his warmth, his readiness to help, and his calm confidence. He was a teacher and a leader, a man whose life touched pilots at every stage of their careers and whose loss was felt deeply by all who knew him.
The Human Toll: Beyond the Cockpit
The loss of Wartenberg, Truitt, and Diamond was felt not just by their families but by an entire community — aviation professionals, UPS employees, friends, neighbors, and people who never met them but heard their stories and felt the impact of the tragedy.
When UPS officially released the identities of the crew members, the company’s leadership expressed the profound sorrow felt across the organization. In a statement, UPS said:
“Our hearts go out to every UPSer who has been impacted and all in our Louisville community — supporting you and ensuring you receive the care and resources you need is our priority.” The company acknowledged the “incredibly sad time” for the UPS family and extended “deepest sympathies to the family and friends of our colleagues.”
UPS CEO Carol Tomé echoed this sentiment, emphasizing unity and shared grief, reminding employees and the public that even amidst sorrow, there is strength in community and remembrance.
Remembering Their Legacies
Richard Wartenberg
Wartenberg’s life was marked by service — in the U.S. Air Force, in civilian aviation, and in the hearts of his neighbors. More than an accomplished pilot, he was someone who uplifted others simply by being present, reliable, and willing to help. The countless hours he spent flying were matched by the hours he took to support others — whether in his community or among fellow UPS employees.
Truitt brought passion and precision to his profession. In his mid‑40s and in the prime of his career, colleagues remembered him for his dedication, his warmth, and his contributions beyond the cockpit. His volunteer work and his professional accomplishments made him a respected figure among friends and coworkers alike.
Dana Diamond
A mentor, a teacher, and a leader — Diamond’s career spanned decades and touched numerous lives. His early work as a flight instructor and later roles within aviation displayed a deep commitment to safety, knowledge, and integrity. He leaves behind not just a professional legacy but the memory of a life lived in service to others.
The Broader Impact and Ongoing Healing
The crash of UPS Flight 2976 did not just take three pilots. It took community members on the ground, it shook families, and it reminded the world how fragile life can be even in the most routine of operations. Louisville officials confirmed that eleven ground victims were also killed, with others injured — a painful reminder that aviation accidents reverberate far beyond the cockpit.
In the aftermath, authorities launched investigations, salvaged wreckage, and worked to understand the technical sequence that led to the crash. Meanwhile, UPS and regulatory bodies took action — including the grounding and eventual retirement of MD‑11 aircraft from service.
For the families of Wartenberg, Truitt, and Diamond, and for all those affected, the path to healing has been long and difficult. Funeral services, memorials, and tributes offered a chance to reflect on lives well lived, and on the contributions these pilots made to their communities and to aviation. The grief shared by so many is matched only by the gratitude for the time these men spent shaping others’ lives, mentoring future pilots, and moving cargo that sustains global commerce.
Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Captain Dana Diamond were more than their titles — they were fathers, friends, mentors, neighbors, and professionals whose lives were inextricably woven into the fabric of their communities. Their dedication to aviation, their warmth toward others, and their commitment to excellence will not be forgotten. Their families mourn them; their colleagues honor them; and the aviation community remembers their service and sacrifice.
In the wake of tragedy, we honor not just their memories but the human spirit behind every flight: the courage it takes to soar, the discipline it takes to serve, and the love that binds us — whether on the ground or in the skies above.
