The total count of victims due to the UPS cargo plane that burst into flames and plummeted has now risen to 13, per recent statements.
City Leader's Statement
“On my way to the Teamsters’ candlelight gathering, I received word of a 13th person that died as a consequence of the UPS flight 2976 accident,” wrote the municipal leader in a social media post. “My prayers is with the families, friends and colleagues of all who were lost in this recently occurred tragedy. We will overcome this collectively.”
Victims Confirmed
A statement from the carrier listed the officers aboard the jet as Captain Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
“Our thoughts reach out to all UPSer who has been touched and everyone in our community region – assisting you and guaranteeing you receive the attention and resources you need is our focus,” the organization’s communication stated.
Probe Findings
Federal authorities announced that the jet’s port side wing caught fire and an engine detached shortly after takeoff from the aviation hub, leading to the aircraft to fall and erupt into a blaze.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced it is examining the jet’s maintenance history, which was in Texas for maintenance several weeks ahead of the accident.
Aircraft information indicated the aircraft was on the runway in San Antonio, Texas from early September to last week.
“We are aware that this plane was present in the facility,” said an investigator on Thursday, not giving a specific date range. “We will examine each aspect of repairs that was done, from the San Antonio time, all the way to the time of the journey.”
Retrieval of Key Components
The pilot’s recorder and data recorder were retrieved, and the engine was found on the runway.
The units – known as data containers – were designed to endure collision damage and intense fire from fires, and they looked to be in one piece when discovered amid the crash debris. Investigators plan on analyzing recordings from the black boxes.
Jet’s last data recordings indicated an altitude of 475 ft and a speed of that speed ahead of the crash.
Repair History
Based on Federal Aviation Administration records dated last month, a fissure on a component in the tank area needed repairs.
Singapore-based ST Engineering, which said it provides airframe maintenance for the carrier’s MD-11 and manages a maintenance center in that city, declined to comment, but expressed it would assist completely when investigators contacted it.
Activities Continue
At the same time, UPS Worldport activities restarted last night with its express also known as night sort operation, representative the company official stated. All three tarmacs at the aviation hub were also open again.
The distribution hub in this location is the company’s biggest. The hub engages in excess of 20,000 individuals in the area, processes 300 aircraft each day and organizes in excess of four hundred thousand packages per hour.
Community Reaction
A memorial was held on the evening of 6 November by the area Teamsters Union, which supports workers at the aviation hub, the organization’s biggest shipping facility.
Teamsters Local 89, which represents staff, started the memorial with a period of reflection at the evening hour, the rough moment of the incident before.
“This event was so unexpected, so surprising,” the official told the assembly of attendees. “No one had a moment to say goodbye to each of those who we have mourned.”
