The number of fatalities due to the UPS cargo plane that burst into flames and crashed has now risen to 13, according to official reports.
City Leader's Announcement
Traveling to the Workers’ memorial service, I received word of a thirteenth victim that lost their life as a result of the plane accident,” stated the local official in a online message. “My prayers is with the loved ones, companions and co-workers of all who were killed in this week’s calamity. We will endure this collectively.”
Casualties Confirmed
A statement from the company listed the flight crew operating the jet as Captain Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
“Our thoughts reach out to all staff member who has been affected and all in our community area – supporting you and making sure you obtain the attention and assistance you need is our focus,” the company’s message expressed.
Investigation Updates
Government officials revealed that the freight aircraft’s port side wing burst into flames and an engine detached soon after liftoff from the aviation hub, leading to the plane to crash and burst into a fireball.
The safety agency announced it is probing the plane’s upkeep logs, which was in the state for fixes a period before the accident.
Aviation information showed the plane was on the ground in San Antonio, Texas from 3 September to 18 October.
“We are aware that this jet was located in that city,” said an NTSB member on Thursday, without a specific period. “We will look at every piece of repairs that was completed, including the San Antonio time, all the way to the day of the trip.”
Findings of Key Components
The audio device and data recorder were found, and the power plant was found on the runway.
The units – called data containers – were constructed to withstand accident forces and intense heat from fires, and they looked to be undamaged when discovered among the wreckage. Officials intend to examining data from the black boxes.
Jet’s last recorded information indicated an elevation of 475 feet and a velocity of 210 mph ahead of the impact.
Maintenance History
Based on aviation authority documents from that date, a fissure on a component within the center wing fuel tank required repairs.
The company ST Engineering, which indicated it provides airframe maintenance for the company’s MD-11 and operates a repair facility in San Antonio, declined to comment, but expressed it would assist completely when relevant authorities reached out it.
Activities Continue
In the meantime, the facility activities resumed last night with its overnight or evening operation, spokesperson the company official confirmed. The three tarmacs at the airport were likewise open again.
The UPS package handling facility in the city is the company’s most significant. The facility hires over 20,000 workers in the region, processes three hundred aircraft per day and sorts over four hundred thousand packages each hour.
Community Response
A memorial was conducted on the night of that date by the area labor union, which represents workers at the aviation hub, the firm’s largest air cargo hub.
The union chapter, which stands for staff, began the memorial with a period of reflection at that time, the rough time of the crash two days earlier.
“This incident was so abrupt, so unforeseen,” the official told the group of 200. “No one had a chance to bid farewell to each of those who we have said farewell to.”
