The tally of victims resulting from the UPS cargo plane that caught fire and crashed has now risen to 13, according to recent announcements.
Mayor's Statement
While en route to the Teamsters’ candlelight gathering, I was informed of a thirteenth victim that passed away as a outcome of the UPS flight 2976 incident,” stated the municipal leader in a social media post. “My thoughts is with the families, friends and colleagues of all who were lost in this recent tragedy. We will endure this collectively.”
Deceased Confirmed
A statement from the company listed the officers operating the jet as Captain Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts go out to every UPSer who has been affected and all in our Louisville area – helping you and guaranteeing you get the attention and aid you need is our focus,” the company’s message stated.
Investigation Details
Federal investigators revealed that the freight aircraft’s port side wing caught fire and an engine separated soon after departure from the aviation hub, causing the plane to plummet and erupt into a blaze.
The safety agency has said it is probing the jet’s service record, that was in the state for repairs several weeks before the accident.
Aircraft information indicated the plane was on the runway in San Antonio, Texas from early September to last week.
“We are aware that this plane was present in that city,” remarked an investigator on the following day, without a specific period. “We will examine every piece of service that was completed, from the San Antonio period, straight to the time of the journey.”
Findings of Critical Evidence
The pilot’s recorder and flight data recorder were retrieved, and the motor was discovered on the runway.
The recorders – called flight recorders – were constructed to withstand crash impacts and extreme heat from fires, and they looked to be undamaged when discovered among the wreckage. Authorities intend to analyzing data from the recorders.
Jet’s concluding recorded information displayed an height of 475 feet and a rate of that speed before the crash.
Maintenance History
Per aviation authority files dated that date, a crack on a structural piece within the center wing fuel tank demanded repairs.
Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which stated it offers airframe maintenance for UPS’s jet and operates a maintenance center in San Antonio, chose not to speak, but said it would cooperate fully when officials approached it.
Operations Continue
Meanwhile, the hub services resumed Wednesday night with its overnight or nighttime operation, spokesperson Jim Mayer said. The three landing strips at Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport were likewise reopened.
The distribution hub in this location is the firm’s largest. The hub engages over twenty thousand people in the region, manages 300 aircraft per day and organizes in excess of 400,000 items each hour.
Public Reaction
A memorial was held on the night of that date by the area labor union, which supports employees at the aviation hub, the company’s primary shipping facility.
Worker representatives, which supports UPS workers, commenced the vigil with a moment of silence at that time, the estimated hour of the crash before.
“This event was so abrupt, so unexpected,” the mayor told the group of attendees. “No one had a opportunity to part to each of those who we have said farewell to.”
