The number of victims resulting from the transport jet which caught fire and plummeted has now climbed to 13, as confirmed by official announcements.
Official's Remarks
“On my way to the Teamsters’ vigil, I received word of a additional fatality that lost their life as a result of the aircraft incident,” expressed the local official in a public communication. “My prayers are with the loved ones, associates and colleagues of all who were killed in this week’s tragedy. We will get through this together.”
Casualties Confirmed
A release from UPS named the officers operating the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts go out to all UPSer who has been affected and everyone in our community community – supporting you and making sure you receive the care and resources you need is our priority,” the company’s statement read.
Investigation Details
Government officials disclosed that the UPS cargo plane’s wing caught fire and an engine separated soon after liftoff from the airfield, leading to the jet to plummet and burst into a fireball.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced it is investigating the plane’s maintenance history, which was in Texas for fixes several weeks before the accident.
Aircraft data revealed the plane was on the ground in San Antonio, Texas from 3 September to 18 October.
“We are cognizant that this aircraft was present in the facility,” stated an official on the following day, without a specific date range. “We will review all elements of repairs that was completed, from the San Antonio visit, all the way to the day of the journey.”
Recovery of Key Items
The pilot’s recorder and data recorder were recovered, and the motor was found on the airfield.
The units – known as data containers – were constructed to survive collision damage and severe fire from blazes, and they seemed to be in one piece when found amid the wreckage. Investigators will analyzing information from the devices.
Jet’s last data recordings displayed an elevation of 475 ft and a speed of that speed ahead of the accident.
Repair Record
According to FAA records from last month, a fissure on a part within the fuel container needed fixes.
Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which said it provides airframe maintenance for the carrier’s MD-11 and manages a maintenance center in Texas, declined to provide remarks, but stated it would cooperate fully when investigators approached it.
Operations Continue
At the same time, UPS Worldport services continued last night with its express or nighttime process, official a representative stated. Each of the three runways at the airport were likewise back in operation.
The UPS package handling facility in the city is the firm’s largest. The center employs more than twenty thousand workers in the locality, processes 300 flights each day and organizes in excess of a huge volume of items per hour.
Community Support
A candlelight vigil was organized on the late afternoon of 6 November by the regional labor union, which acts for workers at the aviation hub, the company’s largest shipping facility.
The union chapter, which supports staff, began the vigil with a period of reflection at 5.14pm, the approximate moment of the accident two days earlier.
“This tragedy was so unexpected, so unforeseen,” the mayor spoke to the crowd of 200. “No one had a moment to bid farewell to any of those who we have lost.”
