The total count of fatalities resulting from the transport jet which caught fire and went down has now reached 13, as confirmed by recent statements.
Mayor's Statement
“On my way to the Teamsters’ memorial service, I received word of a thirteenth victim that passed away as a result of the aircraft crash,” stated the municipal leader in a public communication. “My prayers is with the relatives, friends and peers of all who were killed in this recently occurred calamity. We will endure this as one.”
Casualties Identified
A release from the company listed the pilots operating the aircraft as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
“Our sympathies go out to each UPSer who has been affected and all in our local area – supporting you and making sure you get the care and resources you need is our main concern,” the firm’s communication stated.
Probe Details
Federal investigators revealed that the freight aircraft’s port side wing caught fire and an power plant separated soon after departure from the aviation hub, leading to the plane to fall and erupt into a blaze.
The safety agency has said it is probing the jet’s service record, that was in Texas for repairs weeks ahead of the accident.
Aviation records indicated the jet was on the ground in San Antonio, Texas from 3 September to mid-October.
“We are aware that this jet was located in that city,” stated an investigator on later, without providing a precise period. “We will review all elements of repairs that was performed, even the repair visit, right up to the day of the flight.”
Recovery of Key Evidence
The audio device and flight data recorder were recovered, and the power plant was discovered on the tarmac.
The recorders – referred to as black boxes – were constructed to survive collision damage and extreme temperatures from infernos, and they looked to be undamaged when located amid the wreckage. Authorities intend to examining information from the devices.
Aircraft’s final flight details showed an height of 475 ft and a speed of that speed before the impact.
Maintenance Record
Per Federal Aviation Administration files dated that date, a fissure on a part inside the tank area demanded repairs.
Singapore-based ST Engineering, which said it provides aircraft servicing for the company’s MD-11 and manages a maintenance center in San Antonio, chose not to speak, but stated it would assist completely when officials contacted it.
Services Resume
In the meantime, UPS Worldport operations restarted that evening with its overnight also known as nighttime process, representative a representative said. The three tarmacs at the aviation hub were also open again.
The sorting center in the city is the firm’s largest. The center engages more than 20,000 workers in the locality, handles three hundred aircraft daily and processes over a huge volume of parcels each hour.
Community Reaction
A memorial was conducted on the late afternoon of 6 November by the area Teamsters Union, which acts for workers at the aviation hub, the company’s primary shipping facility.
Worker representatives, which represents staff, commenced the gathering with a quiet tribute at 5.14pm, the rough moment of the incident previously.
“This event was so sudden, so unexpected,” the leader addressed the crowd of two hundred. “No one had a opportunity to say goodbye to any one of those who we have mourned.”
