The number of fatalities from the UPS cargo plane which ignited and went down has reached 13, per latest reports.
Mayor's Statement
“On my way to the Teamsters’ memorial service, I was informed of a thirteenth victim that lost their life as a outcome of the UPS flight 2976 incident,” wrote the city mayor in a public communication. “My heart is with the relatives, associates and co-workers of all who were taken in this recent disaster. We will endure this as one.”
Victims Named
A release from UPS listed the pilots on board the jet as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our sympathies reach out to every UPSer who has been impacted and all in our community region – helping you and making sure you receive the support and resources you need is our focus,” the firm’s message stated.
Investigation Updates
National officials disclosed that the freight aircraft’s left wing ignited and an power plant detached shortly after takeoff from the Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport, causing the aircraft to fall and burst into a fireball.
The National Transportation Safety Board has said it is probing the aircraft’s maintenance history, which was in Texas for maintenance a period prior to the incident.
Flight tracking data showed the jet was on the runway in that location from 3 September to last week.
“We are knowledgeable that this aircraft was present in San Antonio,” said an investigator on later, not giving a specific date range. “We will review every piece of maintenance that was performed, including the repair time, all the way to the date of the trip.”
Findings of Key Items
The audio device and data recorder were found, and the engine was located on the runway.
The recorders – known as black boxes – were built to endure collision damage and intense temperatures from infernos, and they appeared to be in one piece when located amid the remains. Investigators plan on analyzing data from the recorders.
The plane’s last recorded information displayed an altitude of 475 feet and a rate of 210 miles per hour ahead of the accident.
Service History
According to FAA files dated 18 September, a fracture on a structural piece inside the tank area required fixes.
The company ST Engineering, which said it offers airframe maintenance for the company’s aircraft and runs a service location in that city, chose not to comment, but said it would assist completely when relevant authorities contacted it.
Services Resume
At the same time, UPS Worldport activities resumed last night with its express or night sort operation, official a representative said. The three runways at Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport were also open again.
The distribution hub in Louisville is the firm’s largest. The hub engages over 20,000 people in the region, manages numerous trips each day and processes over 400,000 items per hour.
Local Reaction
A gathering was held on the evening of 6 November by the area labor union, which supports workers at the aviation hub, the organization’s primary air cargo hub.
The union chapter, which supports staff, started the gathering with a moment of silence at 5.14pm, the approximate moment of the crash before.
“This tragedy was so abrupt, so unforeseen,” the mayor addressed the group of two hundred. “No one had a moment to say goodbye to any of those who we have mourned.”
