The number of victims from the UPS cargo plane which caught fire and crashed has reached 13, per official reports.
Mayor's Announcement
Traveling to the Workers’ vigil, I learned of a 13th person that lost their life as a outcome of the UPS flight 2976 crash,” wrote the city mayor in a public communication. “My thoughts are with the loved ones, companions and peers of all who were lost in this week’s disaster. We will overcome this together.”
Victims Identified
An announcement from UPS listed the flight crew operating the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts are extended to all employee who has been affected and all in our local area – supporting you and ensuring you receive the support and aid you need is our main concern,” the organization’s communication read.
Investigation Details
Government officials disclosed that the freight aircraft’s left wing caught fire and an engine detached shortly after liftoff from the aviation hub, causing the plane to fall and explode into a fireball.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced it is investigating the plane’s maintenance history, which was in the state for repairs a period ahead of the incident.
Flight tracking data revealed the jet was on the runway in San Antonio, Texas from early September to last week.
“We are knowledgeable that this aircraft was present in that city,” remarked an investigator on Thursday, not giving a specific date range. “We will examine all elements of repairs that was performed, including the San Antonio visit, straight to the day of the journey.”
Recovery of Key Evidence
The pilot’s recorder and data recorder were retrieved, and the power plant was discovered on the airfield.
The recorders – referred to as black boxes – were designed to withstand accident forces and intense fire from fires, and they seemed to be intact when located among the crash debris. Investigators intend to analyzing data from the recorders.
Aircraft’s last data recordings displayed an elevation of 475 ft and a rate of that speed before the accident.
Repair Record
Per FAA files dated that date, a crack on a structural piece within the fuel container required maintenance.
Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which said it supplies aircraft servicing for UPS’s MD-11 and runs a repair facility in that city, refused to provide remarks, but expressed it would cooperate fully when relevant authorities approached it.
Services Restart
In the meantime, the facility activities resumed Wednesday night with its overnight or night sort process, representative Jim Mayer stated. All three runways at Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport were likewise back in operation.
The sorting center in the city is the organization’s largest. The hub hires more than 20,000 individuals in the area, manages 300 aircraft each day and processes in excess of 400,000 items each hour.
Local Support
A gathering was organized on the evening of that date by the regional Teamsters Union, which supports workers at the airfield, the firm’s largest freight center.
Worker representatives, which represents staff, started the gathering with a moment of silence at 5.14pm, the approximate time of the crash before.
“This tragedy was so unexpected, so unexpected,” the leader addressed the assembly of two hundred. “No one had a opportunity to say goodbye to any one of those who we have mourned.”
