The tally of victims due to the UPS cargo plane that ignited and went down has now reached 13, according to official statements.
City Leader's Statement
“On my way to the Teamsters’ vigil, I was informed of a thirteenth victim that lost their life as a result of the aircraft crash,” expressed the municipal leader in a public communication. “My heart is with the loved ones, associates and colleagues of all who were lost in this recent disaster. We will get through this as one.”
Casualties Confirmed
A release from the carrier identified the pilots on board the jet as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts are extended to each UPSer who has been affected and all in our community community – helping you and guaranteeing you obtain the attention and assistance you need is our focus,” the firm’s message stated.
Investigation Updates
Federal investigators revealed that the jet’s wing ignited and an power plant fell off soon after departure from the airfield, resulting in the jet to crash and burst into a inferno.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced it is investigating the aircraft’s service record, which was in the state for maintenance several weeks prior to the incident.
Aviation records revealed the plane was on the ground in that location from early September to mid-October.
“We are aware that this aircraft was located in San Antonio,” said an investigator on Thursday, without a precise period. “We will review every piece of maintenance that was done, from the Texas time, all the way to the date of the flight.”
Retrieval of Key Components
The audio device and information unit were recovered, and the motor was found on the tarmac.
The units – called black boxes – were constructed to withstand accident forces and severe heat from blazes, and they appeared to be in one piece when discovered amid the remains. Investigators will examining data from the recorders.
Jet’s final recorded information displayed an altitude of 475 ft and a velocity of that speed ahead of the impact.
Repair Record
Per Federal Aviation Administration records dated last month, a crack on a structural piece inside the center wing fuel tank needed fixes.
Singapore-based ST Engineering, which stated it offers structural repairs for the company’s aircraft and operates a repair facility in San Antonio, declined to provide remarks, but said it would work closely when officials reached out it.
Services Continue
In the meantime, the facility services restarted Wednesday night with its express also known as night sort operation, representative a representative said. Each of the three runways at the airport were also back in operation.
The sorting center in the city is the company’s biggest. The center employs in excess of twenty thousand individuals in the locality, processes three hundred aircraft per day and processes more than four hundred thousand items each hour.
Community Support
A memorial was organized on the evening of that date by the regional Teamsters Union, which represents staff at the Louisville airport, the company’s biggest shipping facility.
Teamsters Local 89, which stands for employees, began the gathering with a period of reflection at the evening hour, the estimated hour of the crash previously.
“This incident was so abrupt, so unexpected,” the mayor addressed the group of two hundred. “No one had a chance to say goodbye to any one of those who we have lost.”
