The tally of lives lost resulting from the transport jet which caught fire and crashed has now reached 13, as confirmed by recent reports.
Mayor's Statement
While en route to the Teamsters’ memorial service, I learned of a thirteenth victim that passed away as a result of the UPS flight 2976 accident,” stated the local official in a public communication. “My heart are with the families, friends and co-workers of all who were lost in this recent tragedy. We will overcome this together.”
Casualties Identified
A release from the company named the flight crew on board the jet as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts reach out to all staff member who has been impacted and everyone in our Louisville community – assisting you and ensuring you obtain the care and assistance you need is our focus,” the company’s message expressed.
Investigation Updates
Federal authorities announced that the UPS cargo plane’s wing burst into flames and an power plant fell off shortly after departure from the aviation hub, causing the jet to plummet and erupt into a inferno.
The NTSB announced it is investigating the jet’s upkeep logs, which was in the state for fixes several weeks prior to the crash.
Flight tracking records showed the plane was on the tarmac in the Texas city from 3 September to 18 October.
“We are cognizant that this jet was there in that city,” said an investigator on Thursday, without providing a specific time frame. “We will examine each aspect of maintenance that was done, even the San Antonio time, right up to the date of the trip.”
Findings of Vital Evidence
The audio device and data recorder were recovered, and the power plant was discovered on the tarmac.
The units – referred to as data containers – were built to survive crash impacts and severe temperatures from fires, and they looked to be undamaged when found amid the wreckage. Authorities will reviewing information from the recorders.
Aircraft’s final recorded information displayed an altitude of 475 ft and a velocity of 210 mph ahead of the accident.
Service Record
Per aviation authority records from that date, a fissure on a component inside the tank area needed maintenance.
Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which said it provides structural repairs for the carrier’s aircraft and manages a repair facility in that city, refused to comment, but said it would cooperate fully when relevant authorities approached it.
Services Resume
In the meantime, UPS Worldport services resumed last night with its express or evening operation, spokesperson Jim Mayer stated. All three tarmacs at the aviation hub were likewise open again.
The UPS package handling facility in this location is the firm’s most significant. The hub employs in excess of twenty thousand people in the area, processes 300 aircraft per day and sorts over four hundred thousand parcels each hour.
Local Reaction
A candlelight vigil was held on the night of 6 November by the local worker’s group, which supports employees at the aviation hub, the organization’s largest shipping facility.
The union chapter, which stands for UPS workers, started the gathering with a quiet tribute at 5.14pm, the estimated time of the accident before.
“This tragedy was so unexpected, so unexpected,” the leader told the assembly of two hundred. “No one had a moment to say goodbye to any of those who we have lost.”
