The total count of fatalities from the freight aircraft which burst into flames and went down has now risen to 13, per official statements.
Mayor's Announcement
While en route to the Teamsters’ vigil, I was informed of a 13th person that passed away as a consequence of the UPS flight 2976 crash,” wrote the city mayor in a online message. “My prayers are with the relatives, friends and colleagues of all who were killed in this recent disaster. We will endure this together.”
Victims Identified
A statement from the company listed the pilots on board the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Captain Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
“Our thoughts go out to every staff member who has been impacted and all in our Louisville region – assisting you and making sure you get the attention and resources you need is our focus,” the firm’s message expressed.
Investigation Updates
Federal investigators revealed that the UPS cargo plane’s wing ignited and an motor detached soon after departure from the aviation hub, leading to the aircraft to plummet and burst into a blaze.
The NTSB has said it is investigating the jet’s maintenance history, which was in the state for repairs several weeks ahead of the crash.
Aircraft information showed the plane was on the runway in San Antonio, Texas from 3 September to 18 October.
“We are aware that this jet was present in the facility,” stated an investigator on Thursday, not giving a precise time frame. “We will examine all elements of maintenance that was performed, even the San Antonio period, all the way to the date of the trip.”
Recovery of Vital Evidence
The cockpit voice recorder and data recorder were found, and the engine was found on the airfield.
The devices – known as data containers – were built to survive crash impacts and severe fire from blazes, and they looked to be in one piece when found among the crash debris. Authorities will reviewing recordings from the recorders.
Jet’s final flight details indicated an elevation of 475 feet and a speed of 210 miles per hour before the crash.
Repair History
According to FAA documents from 18 September, a crack on a component inside the tank area demanded fixes.
Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which stated it offers structural repairs for the company’s aircraft and manages a service location in San Antonio, chose not to comment, but expressed it would cooperate fully when investigators reached out it.
Activities Resume
In the meantime, UPS Worldport services resumed that evening with its express or night sort procedure, official a representative confirmed. Each of the three tarmacs at Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport were also open again.
The distribution hub in the city is the organization’s biggest. The center employs over 20,000 individuals in the region, manages three hundred trips daily and sorts more than four hundred thousand items each hour.
Community Response
A memorial was held on the evening of that date by the local labor union, which supports staff at the aviation hub, the firm’s largest freight center.
Worker representatives, which represents UPS workers, began the gathering with a period of reflection at the evening hour, the estimated time of the accident two days earlier.
“This tragedy was so sudden, so surprising,” the leader addressed the group of two hundred. “No one had a chance to bid farewell to any one of those who we have said farewell to.”
