Dubai crash kills two UPS pilots
Two UPS crewmembers have died after a cargo plane crashed near Dubai on Friday. Captain Doug Lampe and first officer Matthew Bell lost their lives when their 747-400 crashed near Dubai International Airport shortly after take-off. The aircraft was bound for Cologne.
“This is a terrible tragedy, and all of us at UPS extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of both of these crewmembers,” said UPS CEO Scott Davis. “Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with them during this difficult time.”
The UPS Family Assistance Team is working with the victims’ families to help them in their time of need.
Captain Lampe, 48, had been with UPS since 1995. First officer Bell, 38, has been with UPS since 2006. Both crewmembers flew out of UPS’s Anchorage, Alaska domicile, or pilot base.
The aircraft, tail number N571UP, was just three years old, entering UPS service off the Boeing production line in September 2007. The airframe had flown 9977 hours, completing 1764 takeoffs and landings. It was up to date on all maintenance, having just completed a major inspection in June 2010.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is dispatching an aviation investigation team to assist the General Civil Aviation Authority (GACC) of the United Arab Emirates in the crash investigation. The GCAA will take the lead on the investigation and release all information on the progress of the investigation.
NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman has designated senior air safety investigator Bill English as the US accredited representative. His team will include NTSB specialists in the areas of human performance, fire, operations and systems. The team will also include technical advisors from the FAA, Boeing, UPS, GE and the Independent Pilots Association.
A UPS team has arrived in Dubai at this time and will cooperate with authorities in the investigation.
“We established an internal command centre within minutes of learning of this tragedy. It will be staffed around the clock with experts from every part of our operation,” said UPS Airlines president Bob Lekites. “Safe, secure operations are our top priorities for our employees, our customers, and our public stakeholders.”
