The total count of victims from the freight aircraft that caught fire and went down has risen to 13, as confirmed by latest statements.
City Leader's Remarks
While en route to the Union’s candlelight gathering, I received word of a thirteenth victim that passed away as a result of the aircraft accident,” wrote the city mayor in a social media post. “My thoughts is with the loved ones, associates and co-workers of all who were lost in this recent disaster. We will get through this as one.”
Deceased Identified
A release from UPS listed the officers aboard the jet as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
“Our sympathies go out to all employee who has been touched and everyone in our community area – helping you and ensuring you get the support and aid you need is our priority,” the firm’s communication read.
Probe Findings
Government investigators revealed that the UPS cargo plane’s left wing caught fire and an engine detached shortly after liftoff from the airfield, leading to the aircraft to plummet and explode into a blaze.
The safety agency announced it is probing the jet’s upkeep logs, that was in the state for maintenance weeks ahead of the accident.
Aircraft information revealed the plane was on the ground in San Antonio, Texas from 3 September to mid-October.
“We are knowledgeable that this plane was present in San Antonio,” remarked an NTSB member on later, without a precise period. “We will examine every piece of repairs that was done, from the San Antonio time, straight to the date of the flight.”
Recovery of Critical Components
The pilot’s recorder and flight data recorder were retrieved, and the power plant was discovered on the runway.
The recorders – called data containers – were built to withstand accident forces and intense heat from infernos, and they seemed to be in one piece when located amid the remains. Investigators intend to examining recordings from the recorders.
Jet’s last flight details displayed an elevation of that level and a velocity of that speed ahead of the crash.
Repair Background
Per FAA files from last month, a fissure on a component inside the fuel container needed maintenance.
Singapore-based ST Engineering, which indicated it offers airframe maintenance for the company’s MD-11 and manages a maintenance center in San Antonio, declined to speak, but expressed it would assist completely when relevant authorities approached it.
Activities Continue
Meanwhile, UPS Worldport services resumed that evening with its overnight or nighttime process, official Jim Mayer confirmed. The three tarmacs at the aviation hub were additionally open again.
The distribution hub in this location is the organization’s largest. The hub employs over a large number of people in the region, handles three hundred aircraft per day and processes over four hundred thousand parcels an hour.
Community Reaction
A memorial was conducted on the late afternoon of that date by the area labor union, which acts for staff at the aviation hub, the company’s primary air cargo hub.
Teamsters Local 89, which represents staff, commenced the gathering with a quiet tribute at that time, the rough time of the crash two days earlier.
“This incident was so unexpected, so unforeseen,” the mayor told the group of 200. “No one had a chance to bid farewell to any of those who we have mourned.”
