The tally of lives lost from the UPS cargo plane that burst into flames and crashed has now risen to 13, as confirmed by recent announcements.
Mayor's Statement
Traveling to the Workers’ memorial service, I received word of a 13th person that passed away as a result of the UPS flight 2976 accident,” stated the city mayor in a public communication. “My thoughts is with the relatives, associates and co-workers of all who were lost in this recently occurred tragedy. We will get through this as one.”
Deceased Identified
A statement from the carrier listed the flight crew aboard the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Captain Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts are extended to every staff member who has been impacted and all in our community region – supporting you and making sure you obtain the attention and assistance you need is our priority,” the company’s message stated.
Probe Updates
National investigators revealed that the jet’s left wing ignited and an motor detached soon after departure from the airfield, resulting in the aircraft to fall and erupt into a inferno.
The safety agency stated it is examining the plane’s maintenance history, which was in the state for maintenance several weeks prior to the accident.
Aircraft records indicated the plane was on the ground in that location from 3 September to 18 October.
“We are knowledgeable that this aircraft was present in San Antonio,” stated an investigator on the following day, without a exact period. “We will look at all elements of repairs that was done, even the Texas time, all the way to the date of the flight.”
Recovery of Critical Components
The pilot’s recorder and data recorder were recovered, and the engine was discovered on the runway.
The devices – called black boxes – were designed to endure accident forces and intense temperatures from blazes, and they seemed to be undamaged when located within the remains. Investigators plan on reviewing information from the recorders.
Aircraft’s final recorded information displayed an height of 475 feet and a rate of that speed ahead of the accident.
Repair History
Based on FAA files from that date, a fracture on a structural piece within the center wing fuel tank needed repairs.
The company ST Engineering, which said it supplies airframe maintenance for UPS’s jet and manages a repair facility in Texas, chose not to comment, but expressed it would assist completely when relevant authorities approached it.
Operations Continue
At the same time, UPS Worldport services continued Wednesday night with its express or nighttime procedure, representative Jim Mayer stated. Each of the three runways at the aviation hub were likewise reopened.
The sorting center in this location is the company’s largest. The center hires more than 20,000 individuals in the region, processes 300 flights daily and processes more than four hundred thousand packages an hour.
Local Support
A memorial was organized on the night of that date by the local labor union, which supports workers at the aviation hub, the organization’s largest shipping facility.
Worker representatives, which represents UPS workers, commenced the vigil with a moment of silence at 5.14pm, the rough moment of the crash before.
“This incident was so sudden, so unforeseen,” the official addressed the crowd of attendees. “No one had a chance to part to each of those who we have mourned.”
