The number of victims resulting from the freight aircraft which burst into flames and crashed has now risen to 13, according to recent reports.
Mayor's Statement
“On my way to the Union’s memorial service, I was informed of a thirteenth victim that passed away as a result of the UPS flight 2976 incident,” stated the city mayor in a social media post. “My prayers is with the loved ones, friends and colleagues of all who were taken in this week’s calamity. We will endure this together.”
Deceased Named
A statement from the carrier named the officers on board the aircraft as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts reach out to every UPSer who has been affected and all in our Louisville community – supporting you and ensuring you receive the support and assistance you need is our focus,” the company’s statement stated.
Inquiry Updates
Federal authorities revealed that the freight aircraft’s port side wing caught fire and an power plant fell off soon after liftoff from the aviation hub, causing the plane to fall and explode into a blaze.
The NTSB announced it is investigating the plane’s maintenance history, that was in Texas for maintenance a period ahead of the accident.
Flight tracking records revealed the jet was on the runway in San Antonio, Texas from the start of last month to mid-October.
“We are aware that this aircraft was located in the facility,” remarked an official on Thursday, without a exact period. “We will look at every piece of repairs that was completed, including the San Antonio time, right up to the date of the flight.”
Retrieval of Key Components
The pilot’s recorder and information unit were retrieved, and the engine was located on the airfield.
The recorders – called flight recorders – were constructed to endure accident forces and intense temperatures from blazes, and they appeared to be intact when found within the wreckage. Authorities plan on reviewing information from the recorders.
Aircraft’s final recorded information showed an altitude of 475 feet and a rate of 210 miles per hour prior to the crash.
Service Record
Per aviation authority records dated 18 September, a fracture on a component within the tank area demanded repairs.
Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which indicated it supplies aircraft servicing for UPS’s aircraft and operates a service location in Texas, chose not to provide remarks, but said it would cooperate fully when officials reached out it.
Activities Resume
At the same time, UPS Worldport activities resumed last night with its overnight or evening operation, representative a representative said. Each of the three runways at the aviation hub were likewise reopened.
The sorting center in the city is the organization’s largest. The facility hires in excess of a large number of workers in the area, manages 300 aircraft each day and organizes in excess of a huge volume of packages an hour.
Local Response
A memorial was conducted on the late afternoon of 6 November by the regional labor union, which represents workers at the airfield, the firm’s primary freight center.
Teamsters Local 89, which represents employees, started the vigil with a quiet tribute at the evening hour, the estimated moment of the crash two days earlier.
“This tragedy was so unexpected, so unforeseen,” the leader spoke to the group of 200. “No one had a chance to bid farewell to each of those who we have said farewell to.”
