The tally of lives lost from the UPS cargo plane that caught fire and crashed has now reached 13, according to latest statements.
Mayor's Announcement
“On my way to the Teamsters’ candlelight gathering, I was informed of a thirteenth victim that lost their life as a result of the plane accident,” stated the city mayor in a online message. “My heart is with the relatives, associates and co-workers of all who were lost in this week’s disaster. We will get through this collectively.”
Victims Identified
An announcement from UPS listed the flight crew on board the aircraft as Captain Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
“Our thoughts go out to every UPSer who has been touched and all in our local community – supporting you and ensuring you receive the care and aid you need is our main concern,” the organization’s message stated.
Probe Updates
Government authorities disclosed that the freight aircraft’s wing burst into flames and an motor fell off shortly after takeoff from the aviation hub, leading to the jet to fall and erupt into a fireball.
The safety agency announced it is examining the jet’s maintenance history, which was in the state for maintenance several weeks prior to the crash.
Flight tracking information revealed the jet was on the ground in San Antonio, Texas from 3 September to mid-October.
“We are cognizant that this jet was located in that city,” said an NTSB member on the following day, without providing a specific date range. “We will review each aspect of maintenance that was performed, from the repair period, right up to the day of the journey.”
Findings of Critical Items
The pilot’s recorder and information unit were found, and the motor was located on the runway.
The devices – known as black boxes – were built to withstand accident forces and intense fire from infernos, and they appeared to be intact when discovered within the wreckage. Authorities plan on analyzing data from the black boxes.
Aircraft’s concluding data recordings showed an altitude of that level and a speed of that speed before the accident.
Service History
According to aviation authority documents dated that date, a fissure on a structural piece in the fuel container needed maintenance.
The company ST Engineering, which indicated it offers aircraft servicing for UPS’s MD-11 and operates a repair facility in Texas, chose not to comment, but stated it would cooperate fully when relevant authorities contacted it.
Operations Resume
At the same time, UPS Worldport operations continued that evening with its Next Day Air also known as evening operation, official Jim Mayer said. The three tarmacs at the airport were also back in operation.
The distribution hub in the city is the organization’s most significant. The facility employs in excess of twenty thousand workers in the locality, manages numerous flights per day and sorts over a huge volume of packages per hour.
Local Reaction
A gathering was conducted on the night of 6 November by the local worker’s group, which supports workers at the aviation hub, the firm’s biggest shipping facility.
The union chapter, which supports employees, began the gathering with a quiet tribute at 5.14pm, the rough moment of the incident before.
“This incident was so sudden, so unexpected,” the official addressed the assembly of attendees. “No one had a chance to say goodbye to each of those who we have said farewell to.”
