The total count of victims resulting from the freight aircraft which burst into flames and plummeted has climbed to 13, as confirmed by official statements.
Mayor's Remarks
“On my way to the Workers’ memorial service, I learned of a additional fatality that passed away as a outcome of the UPS flight 2976 incident,” expressed the city mayor in a online message. “My thoughts is with the loved ones, friends and colleagues of all who were taken in this week’s tragedy. We will overcome this as one.”
Victims Named
A release from the carrier named the officers on board the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
“Our sympathies reach out to all UPSer who has been affected and all in our local community – supporting you and making sure you get the support and resources you need is our focus,” the company’s communication expressed.
Investigation Details
Federal authorities announced that the freight aircraft’s wing burst into flames and an power plant separated shortly after departure from the aviation hub, resulting in the aircraft to fall and explode into a inferno.
The safety agency stated it is investigating the jet’s upkeep logs, that was in the state for repairs several weeks ahead of the accident.
Flight tracking records indicated the plane was on the ground in that location from 3 September to last week.
“We are cognizant that this plane was present in San Antonio,” stated an official on later, not giving a specific date range. “We will review all elements of service that was done, including the Texas period, all the way to the date of the trip.”
Retrieval of Critical Evidence
The cockpit voice recorder and data recorder were recovered, and the engine was discovered on the runway.
The units – referred to as flight recorders – were built to endure accident forces and intense temperatures from fires, and they seemed to be intact when found within the remains. Authorities intend to analyzing information from the black boxes.
The plane’s concluding data recordings displayed an elevation of 475 ft and a velocity of 210 miles per hour before the accident.
Maintenance Record
Per aviation authority records from 18 September, a crack on a part inside the tank area demanded repairs.
Singapore-based ST Engineering, which indicated it offers aircraft servicing for the company’s aircraft and operates a repair facility in San Antonio, declined to provide remarks, but stated it would work closely when officials approached it.
Operations Continue
Meanwhile, the facility operations continued last night with its express or evening operation, official the company official stated. All three tarmacs at the airport were also back in operation.
The sorting center in this location is the company’s biggest. The hub hires more than 20,000 workers in the area, manages 300 trips each day and processes more than four hundred thousand packages each hour.
Local Response
A candlelight vigil was conducted on the night of 6 November by the regional labor union, which acts for employees at the aviation hub, the firm’s biggest shipping facility.
The union chapter, which represents UPS workers, commenced the gathering with a moment of silence at 5.14pm, the estimated moment of the crash before.
“This tragedy was so abrupt, so surprising,” the leader told the assembly of 200. “No one had a chance to bid farewell to any one of those who we have lost.”
