Tragic Update on Cargo Plane Incident: Fatalities Climbs to 13
The total count of lives lost from the UPS cargo plane which burst into flames and went down has now climbed to 13, as confirmed by official reports.
Mayor's Statement
While en route to the Workers’ vigil, I received word of a thirteenth victim that died as a consequence of the plane accident,” stated the city mayor in a public communication. “My heart are with the loved ones, associates and peers of all who were killed in this recent tragedy. We will overcome this as one.”
Deceased Confirmed
An announcement from UPS named the officers aboard the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our sympathies reach out to every staff member who has been affected and all in our community community – helping you and guaranteeing you get the support and aid you need is our priority,” the firm’s message read.
Investigation Findings
Government authorities disclosed that the jet’s port side wing burst into flames and an power plant separated soon after departure from the aviation hub, causing the plane to crash and burst into a fireball.
The safety agency has said it is examining the plane’s service record, that was in the state for repairs several weeks ahead of the crash.
Flight tracking data indicated the plane was on the runway in the Texas city from 3 September to last week.
“We are knowledgeable that this jet was there in that city,” remarked an NTSB member on later, not giving a exact time frame. “We will review every piece of repairs that was completed, even the Texas period, all the way to the day of the trip.”
Recovery of Critical Components
The pilot’s recorder and information unit were retrieved, and the power plant was discovered on the tarmac.
The devices – called black boxes – were constructed to endure collision damage and intense heat from blazes, and they appeared to be in one piece when found among the wreckage. Authorities intend to examining information from the black boxes.
Jet’s final recorded information showed an elevation of 475 feet and a rate of 210 mph before the crash.
Service History
According to FAA files dated last month, a fissure on a part inside the fuel container required maintenance.
Singapore-based ST Engineering, which said it supplies structural repairs for the carrier’s jet and runs a maintenance center in San Antonio, chose not to speak, but said it would cooperate fully when investigators approached it.
Activities Restart
In the meantime, UPS Worldport activities resumed that evening with its express or evening operation, representative the company official stated. All three landing strips at Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport were also back in operation.
The sorting center in this location is the company’s largest. The facility hires over 20,000 people in the region, manages 300 trips each day and processes more than four hundred thousand packages per hour.
Public Support
A candlelight vigil was held on the night of that date by the area Teamsters Union, which acts for workers at the aviation hub, the company’s primary shipping facility.
The union chapter, which represents UPS workers, commenced the memorial with a period of reflection at the evening hour, the estimated time of the accident before.
“This tragedy was so sudden, so surprising,” the mayor addressed the assembly of two hundred. “No one had a moment to say goodbye to each of those who we have lost.”