The number of victims from the freight aircraft that burst into flames and went down has reached 13, according to official announcements.
Official's Announcement
“On my way to the Union’s memorial service, I received word of a 13th person that lost their life as a result of the plane accident,” stated the city mayor in a public communication. “My heart are with the relatives, friends and co-workers of all who were killed in this recently occurred tragedy. We will endure this collectively.”
Deceased Identified
A release from the company named the flight crew on board the jet as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts go out to all staff member who has been affected and all in our local region – helping you and making sure you receive the support and aid you need is our priority,” the company’s communication read.
Inquiry Findings
National authorities announced that the UPS cargo plane’s left wing burst into flames and an power plant detached shortly after liftoff from the airfield, leading to the aircraft to fall and explode into a inferno.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced it is examining the jet’s service record, that was in Texas for repairs weeks prior to the crash.
Aviation data showed the plane was on the ground in San Antonio, Texas from the start of last month to 18 October.
“We are aware that this jet was present in the facility,” stated an investigator on later, without providing a precise time frame. “We will review every piece of maintenance that was performed, from the Texas time, all the way to the time of the trip.”
Findings of Key Components
The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were found, and the motor was discovered on the runway.
The units – referred to as data containers – were constructed to withstand accident forces and severe temperatures from fires, and they appeared to be intact when located within the remains. Authorities intend to reviewing recordings from the black boxes.
The plane’s last data recordings displayed an elevation of that level and a velocity of 210 miles per hour prior to the impact.
Maintenance Record
Per FAA records from 18 September, a fracture on a component within the center wing fuel tank needed fixes.
The company ST Engineering, which stated it supplies airframe maintenance for UPS’s jet and runs a maintenance center in San Antonio, chose not to provide remarks, but said it would assist completely when relevant authorities reached out it.
Services Continue
At the same time, UPS Worldport activities restarted Wednesday night with its express or evening operation, spokesperson a representative stated. The three tarmacs at the airport were also reopened.
The distribution hub in the city is the company’s largest. The hub hires over 20,000 workers in the locality, manages numerous trips each day and processes over four hundred thousand parcels an hour.
Local Reaction
A memorial was organized on the late afternoon of 6 November by the regional Teamsters Union, which supports employees at the aviation hub, the company’s biggest freight center.
The union chapter, which supports staff, began the gathering with a moment of silence at that time, the estimated time of the accident two days earlier.
“This event was so sudden, so surprising,” the mayor addressed the crowd of two hundred. “No one had a chance to say goodbye to any of those who we have said farewell to.”
