The tally of victims resulting from the UPS cargo plane that burst into flames and crashed has now climbed to 13, per recent statements.
City Leader's Statement
Traveling to the Union’s memorial service, I received word of a additional fatality that passed away as a consequence of the UPS flight 2976 incident,” wrote the local official in a public communication. “My prayers are with the families, friends and peers of all who were killed in this recent disaster. We will overcome this collectively.”
Deceased Identified
A statement from UPS named the officers operating the jet as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts go out to each UPSer who has been touched and all in our local community – supporting you and guaranteeing you receive the attention and assistance you need is our priority,” the organization’s message read.
Investigation Updates
Federal officials announced that the freight aircraft’s wing burst into flames and an power plant fell off just after takeoff from the airfield, causing the jet to fall and explode into a fireball.
The safety agency has said it is investigating the aircraft’s maintenance history, that was in Texas for maintenance weeks before the incident.
Aircraft data indicated the jet was on the runway in San Antonio, Texas from 3 September to 18 October.
“We are knowledgeable that this plane was present in that city,” stated an investigator on Thursday, not giving a specific period. “We will review every piece of maintenance that was completed, from the San Antonio period, all the way to the date of the flight.”
Findings of Critical Evidence
The pilot’s recorder and flight data recorder were recovered, and the engine was located on the airfield.
The devices – known as flight recorders – were designed to withstand crash impacts and severe temperatures from infernos, and they seemed to be in one piece when found among the crash debris. Investigators plan on reviewing recordings from the recorders.
The plane’s last data recordings indicated an altitude of that level and a velocity of that speed ahead of the impact.
Repair History
According to FAA documents dated that date, a crack on a part in the fuel container needed repairs.
Singapore-based ST Engineering, which indicated it offers airframe maintenance for the company’s MD-11 and manages a service location in Texas, refused to speak, but stated it would work closely when relevant authorities contacted it.
Activities Restart
At the same time, UPS Worldport operations continued that evening with its express also known as night sort process, official the company official said. All three landing strips at the airport were likewise back in operation.
The distribution hub in the city is the organization’s largest. The center employs more than twenty thousand workers in the locality, handles numerous trips daily and organizes more than 400,000 parcels an hour.
Community Reaction
A memorial was conducted on the late afternoon of that date by the local worker’s group, which supports workers at the Louisville airport, the company’s primary freight center.
Teamsters Local 89, which supports UPS workers, began the gathering with a period of reflection at the evening hour, the estimated hour of the incident previously.
“This incident was so unexpected, so unforeseen,” the mayor told the crowd of attendees. “No one had a chance to say goodbye to each of those who we have lost.”
