The total count of lives lost resulting from the UPS cargo plane which ignited and plummeted has now reached 13, according to official statements.
Mayor's Remarks
While en route to the Union’s vigil, I was informed of a additional fatality that died as a result of the UPS flight 2976 crash,” stated the municipal leader in a online message. “My heart is with the families, friends and co-workers of all who were killed in this week’s tragedy. We will endure this as one.”
Victims Identified
An announcement from the carrier listed the flight crew aboard the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts are extended to every employee who has been impacted and all in our local community – supporting you and ensuring you get the attention and aid you need is our focus,” the company’s message expressed.
Inquiry Findings
National officials disclosed that the jet’s left wing caught fire and an motor separated just after takeoff from the airfield, resulting in the plane to fall and erupt into a fireball.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced it is examining the jet’s maintenance history, which was in the state for repairs several weeks prior to the incident.
Flight tracking records showed the plane was on the runway in that location from early September to mid-October.
“We are aware that this aircraft was located in the facility,” stated an official on Thursday, not giving a exact time frame. “We will look at every piece of repairs that was done, including the repair time, straight to the date of the flight.”
Retrieval of Vital Components
The audio device and data recorder were recovered, and the motor was discovered on the airfield.
The recorders – called black boxes – were built to endure collision damage and intense heat from infernos, and they looked to be in one piece when discovered amid the wreckage. Officials will analyzing data from the devices.
Jet’s final recorded information showed an elevation of 475 ft and a rate of 210 miles per hour before the impact.
Repair Record
Based on Federal Aviation Administration records from last month, a fracture on a structural piece within the center wing fuel tank demanded fixes.
Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which stated it offers airframe maintenance for the carrier’s jet and runs a service location in San Antonio, declined to comment, but expressed it would assist completely when officials reached out it.
Operations Restart
In the meantime, UPS Worldport operations restarted that evening with its Next Day Air or evening procedure, official the company official confirmed. Each of the three tarmacs at the aviation hub were additionally open again.
The UPS package handling facility in this location is the organization’s biggest. The center employs more than twenty thousand workers in the area, handles numerous trips each day and organizes in excess of four hundred thousand parcels per hour.
Local Response
A candlelight vigil was organized on the evening of that date by the area worker’s group, which acts for employees at the aviation hub, the company’s primary shipping facility.
Teamsters Local 89, which represents staff, began the gathering with a period of reflection at the evening hour, the rough moment of the incident before.
“This tragedy was so unexpected, so surprising,” the official addressed the group of 200. “No one had a chance to say goodbye to each of those who we have lost.”
