The total count of victims from the UPS cargo plane that ignited and went down has now reached 13, as confirmed by official announcements.
Official's Remarks
“On my way to the Teamsters’ vigil, I learned of a additional fatality that died as a consequence of the aircraft accident,” wrote the municipal leader in a social media post. “My prayers is with the families, friends and co-workers of all who were taken in this week’s tragedy. We will endure this together.”
Deceased Confirmed
A statement from the carrier listed the pilots aboard the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Captain Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our thoughts are extended to all UPSer who has been touched and all in our community region – helping you and ensuring you obtain the attention and assistance you need is our main concern,” the organization’s communication stated.
Inquiry Updates
National authorities disclosed that the jet’s wing burst into flames and an power plant fell off shortly after departure from the airfield, causing the plane to crash and explode into a fireball.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced it is probing the jet’s service record, that was in Texas for maintenance weeks before the accident.
Aircraft records indicated the jet was on the ground in the Texas city from early September to 18 October.
“We are aware that this jet was there in San Antonio,” said an investigator on Thursday, without providing a precise date range. “We will look at each aspect of maintenance that was completed, including the Texas time, all the way to the time of the trip.”
Recovery of Critical Components
The cockpit voice recorder and data recorder were found, and the power plant was found on the tarmac.
The recorders – referred to as data containers – were designed to survive accident forces and severe fire from infernos, and they looked to be in one piece when discovered within the crash debris. Officials plan on examining recordings from the black boxes.
The plane’s concluding data recordings displayed an elevation of 475 feet and a speed of 210 miles per hour prior to the impact.
Maintenance Record
Per Federal Aviation Administration documents dated that date, a fracture on a structural piece inside the fuel container needed maintenance.
The company ST Engineering, which indicated it offers airframe maintenance for the company’s MD-11 and operates a service location in Texas, declined to provide remarks, but expressed it would assist completely when investigators reached out it.
Activities Resume
Meanwhile, UPS Worldport operations restarted that evening with its express also known as evening procedure, official the company official stated. The three landing strips at the aviation hub were likewise back in operation.
The sorting center in the city is the organization’s largest. The hub hires over 20,000 individuals in the locality, handles numerous trips daily and organizes more than 400,000 items per hour.
Local Reaction
A memorial was conducted on the late afternoon of that date by the regional Teamsters Union, which represents employees at the airfield, the company’s largest freight center.
Teamsters Local 89, which supports UPS workers, commenced the vigil with a period of reflection at 5.14pm, the approximate moment of the crash two days earlier.
“This event was so abrupt, so unforeseen,” the leader addressed the group of attendees. “No one had a moment to say goodbye to any one of those who we have lost.”
