The total count of fatalities from the transport jet that ignited and plummeted has now reached 13, per official reports.
Official's Announcement
Traveling to the Teamsters’ memorial service, I received word of a thirteenth victim that lost their life as a outcome of the UPS flight 2976 crash,” expressed the local official in a social media post. “My thoughts are with the relatives, friends and peers of all who were lost in this week’s disaster. We will get through this together.”
Deceased Named
A release from the carrier listed the pilots on board the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our thoughts go out to every staff member who has been touched and all in our Louisville community – helping you and making sure you receive the care and assistance you need is our focus,” the company’s message stated.
Investigation Details
National investigators announced that the UPS cargo plane’s port side wing burst into flames and an power plant separated just after departure from the aviation hub, causing the plane to crash and burst into a fireball.
The safety agency announced it is examining the jet’s service record, that was in Texas for repairs several weeks ahead of the crash.
Aviation records indicated the aircraft was on the runway in San Antonio, Texas from early September to 18 October.
“We are knowledgeable that this aircraft was there in the facility,” said an NTSB member on the following day, not giving a precise period. “We will review each aspect of repairs that was completed, even the San Antonio period, right up to the time of the flight.”
Findings of Key Items
The pilot’s recorder and data recorder were recovered, and the power plant was discovered on the tarmac.
The devices – referred to as black boxes – were designed to endure crash impacts and extreme temperatures from fires, and they appeared to be undamaged when located among the remains. Investigators plan on reviewing data from the recorders.
Jet’s final recorded information displayed an height of 475 ft and a speed of 210 mph ahead of the impact.
Repair Background
Based on FAA documents dated that date, a crack on a component within the tank area demanded fixes.
The company ST Engineering, which said it supplies aircraft servicing for UPS’s aircraft and manages a maintenance center in San Antonio, chose not to provide remarks, but said it would cooperate fully when relevant authorities reached out it.
Activities Restart
At the same time, UPS Worldport operations resumed that evening with its Next Day Air also known as nighttime procedure, official Jim Mayer said. Each of the three runways at the airport were also open again.
The distribution hub in the city is the organization’s biggest. The center engages more than a large number of individuals in the locality, handles three hundred aircraft per day and organizes over 400,000 packages each hour.
Public Reaction
A candlelight vigil was organized on the late afternoon of that date by the local Teamsters Union, which acts for workers at the aviation hub, the organization’s biggest shipping facility.
Teamsters Local 89, which represents UPS workers, commenced the vigil with a quiet tribute at 5.14pm, the approximate moment of the accident before.
“This incident was so sudden, so unexpected,” the leader addressed the crowd of 200. “No one had a moment to bid farewell to each of those who we have lost.”
