The total count of victims resulting from the freight aircraft that ignited and went down has climbed to 13, according to official announcements.
City Leader's Announcement
“On my way to the Workers’ candlelight gathering, I was informed of a thirteenth victim that lost their life as a result of the UPS flight 2976 incident,” wrote the municipal leader in a online message. “My prayers is with the families, companions and colleagues of all who were taken in this week’s tragedy. We will get through this together.”
Victims Named
An announcement from the company identified the flight crew on board the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our thoughts are extended to each UPSer who has been touched and all in our community area – helping you and making sure you get the care and assistance you need is our main concern,” the firm’s statement stated.
Inquiry Details
Federal investigators announced that the jet’s left wing caught fire and an power plant fell off soon after liftoff from the airfield, leading to the plane to fall and burst into a blaze.
The safety agency stated it is probing the plane’s upkeep logs, which was in Texas for repairs weeks before the accident.
Flight tracking information revealed the plane was on the runway in the Texas city from the start of last month to mid-October.
“We are aware that this jet was there in San Antonio,” said an official on the following day, not giving a specific time frame. “We will look at all elements of service that was performed, including the San Antonio period, all the way to the date of the flight.”
Recovery of Critical Components
The cockpit voice recorder and information unit were found, and the engine was found on the runway.
The recorders – known as black boxes – were designed to withstand crash impacts and severe fire from infernos, and they appeared to be in one piece when found among the crash debris. Officials intend to analyzing recordings from the recorders.
Aircraft’s last data recordings displayed an altitude of 475 feet and a velocity of 210 miles per hour before the impact.
Maintenance Record
According to Federal Aviation Administration records from that date, a fissure on a structural piece within the tank area demanded fixes.
Singapore-based ST Engineering, which stated it offers airframe maintenance for UPS’s aircraft and manages a maintenance center in Texas, declined to comment, but stated it would assist completely when officials contacted it.
Activities Resume
At the same time, UPS Worldport operations continued last night with its Next Day Air or night sort operation, spokesperson Jim Mayer confirmed. All three tarmacs at Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport were likewise reopened.
The sorting center in the city is the firm’s largest. The hub engages more than 20,000 individuals in the locality, handles numerous flights daily and organizes over a huge volume of packages an hour.
Local Support
A candlelight vigil was conducted on the night of that date by the area worker’s group, which supports workers at the aviation hub, the company’s primary freight center.
The union chapter, which represents employees, commenced the vigil with a moment of silence at that time, the approximate moment of the incident previously.
“This tragedy was so abrupt, so surprising,” the leader spoke to the group of attendees. “No one had a opportunity to part to any of those who we have mourned.”
