The number of fatalities from the transport jet which caught fire and crashed has reached 13, according to official announcements.
City Leader's Statement
“On my way to the Workers’ memorial service, I received word of a thirteenth victim that passed away as a result of the plane crash,” expressed the city mayor in a online message. “My heart is with the families, associates and colleagues of all who were killed in this week’s calamity. We will endure this as one.”
Victims Identified
A statement from the carrier listed the flight crew operating the jet as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts reach out to each UPSer who has been impacted and everyone in our community region – assisting you and ensuring you get the attention and aid you need is our priority,” the firm’s statement stated.
Inquiry Findings
National officials disclosed that the UPS cargo plane’s left wing caught fire and an power plant detached just after departure from the airfield, causing the plane to fall and erupt into a fireball.
The safety agency announced it is examining the aircraft’s service record, that was in the state for repairs several weeks before the crash.
Aircraft information revealed the aircraft was on the runway in San Antonio, Texas from 3 September to mid-October.
“We are knowledgeable that this aircraft was located in that city,” remarked an NTSB member on Thursday, not giving a precise period. “We will examine each aspect of repairs that was done, including the Texas time, straight to the time of the journey.”
Findings of Key Components
The cockpit voice recorder and information unit were retrieved, and the motor was discovered on the airfield.
The devices – called black boxes – were constructed to survive collision damage and intense heat from blazes, and they seemed to be intact when located among the wreckage. Officials intend to reviewing recordings from the recorders.
Aircraft’s final data recordings showed an height of 475 feet and a rate of that speed before the impact.
Maintenance History
Per Federal Aviation Administration files from that date, a fracture on a part inside the fuel container required repairs.
Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which said it offers structural repairs for the company’s MD-11 and runs a service location in Texas, refused to comment, but expressed it would cooperate fully when relevant authorities reached out it.
Operations Resume
At the same time, the hub services continued that evening with its Next Day Air or nighttime procedure, representative the company official stated. Each of the three tarmacs at the airport were additionally reopened.
The distribution hub in Louisville is the company’s largest. The facility hires over 20,000 people in the area, handles numerous trips per day and sorts more than 400,000 items each hour.
Community Support
A gathering was organized on the night of 6 November by the regional worker’s group, which represents workers at the aviation hub, the company’s largest air cargo hub.
The union chapter, which supports UPS workers, began the memorial with a moment of silence at 5.14pm, the approximate hour of the accident two days earlier.
“This event was so abrupt, so surprising,” the leader addressed the crowd of attendees. “No one had a opportunity to say goodbye to any one of those who we have mourned.”
