The number of fatalities resulting from the freight aircraft which burst into flames and went down has now reached 13, as confirmed by recent statements.
City Leader's Statement
“On my way to the Teamsters’ candlelight gathering, I was informed of a thirteenth victim that passed away as a result of the plane accident,” stated the local official in a public communication. “My heart is with the families, associates and colleagues of all who were taken in this recent calamity. We will overcome this collectively.”
Casualties Identified
An announcement from the carrier named the pilots on board the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Captain Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts are extended to each UPSer who has been affected and everyone in our local area – helping you and making sure you obtain the care and aid you need is our main concern,” the organization’s statement expressed.
Investigation Findings
Federal authorities revealed that the UPS cargo plane’s wing caught fire and an engine detached shortly after departure from the aviation hub, causing the plane to plummet and erupt into a fireball.
The safety agency has said it is probing the plane’s maintenance history, that was in Texas for maintenance a period ahead of the accident.
Aircraft information showed the jet was on the runway in San Antonio, Texas from the start of last month to mid-October.
“We are cognizant that this plane was present in the facility,” said an NTSB member on Thursday, without providing a exact date range. “We will look at all elements of maintenance that was performed, from the Texas time, all the way to the date of the journey.”
Retrieval of Critical Components
The pilot’s recorder and information unit were found, and the motor was discovered on the airfield.
The units – referred to as flight recorders – were constructed to endure collision damage and extreme fire from fires, and they looked to be in one piece when found amid the wreckage. Authorities intend to analyzing recordings from the black boxes.
Jet’s final flight details indicated an height of that level and a rate of 210 miles per hour ahead of the crash.
Repair Record
Based on Federal Aviation Administration documents from 18 September, a fracture on a part within the fuel container required maintenance.
Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which indicated it provides airframe maintenance for the carrier’s jet and runs a maintenance center in that city, chose not to provide remarks, but said it would assist completely when investigators reached out it.
Operations Continue
In the meantime, UPS Worldport services continued that evening with its Next Day Air or evening operation, spokesperson a representative said. Each of the three runways at the airport were also reopened.
The distribution hub in the city is the organization’s biggest. The hub hires over twenty thousand workers in the locality, processes three hundred aircraft per day and organizes more than four hundred thousand packages per hour.
Local Reaction
A gathering was conducted on the night of 6 November by the area worker’s group, which supports workers at the aviation hub, the organization’s largest air cargo hub.
Teamsters Local 89, which supports UPS workers, commenced the memorial with a period of reflection at 5.14pm, the estimated moment of the incident before.
“This incident was so abrupt, so unexpected,” the mayor addressed the assembly of 200. “No one had a opportunity to bid farewell to any of those who we have lost.”
