🔗 Share this article

The total count of victims resulting from the transport jet that ignited and went down has now climbed to 13, according to latest announcements.

City Leader's Announcement

“On my way to the Workers’ vigil, I learned of a thirteenth victim that passed away as a result of the UPS flight 2976 incident,” stated the city mayor in a public communication. “My thoughts is with the relatives, companions and co-workers of all who were killed in this recent calamity. We will overcome this as one.”

Victims Identified

An announcement from the company identified the officers on board the aircraft as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.

“Our sympathies go out to every UPSer who has been impacted and everyone in our community region – assisting you and guaranteeing you receive the attention and resources you need is our focus,” the company’s communication stated.

Investigation Findings

National investigators revealed that the UPS cargo plane’s port side wing caught fire and an engine detached just after liftoff from the Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport, leading to the jet to fall and explode into a blaze.

The National Transportation Safety Board has said it is examining the plane’s upkeep logs, that was in Texas for repairs a period prior to the accident.

Aviation information showed the jet was on the tarmac in San Antonio, Texas from early September to 18 October.

“We are knowledgeable that this plane was there in the facility,” stated an investigator on Thursday, without a precise period. “We will look at all elements of repairs that was done, from the San Antonio visit, straight to the time of the flight.”

Recovery of Critical Components

The cockpit voice recorder and data recorder were retrieved, and the engine was located on the tarmac.

The recorders – referred to as black boxes – were designed to endure collision damage and intense temperatures from infernos, and they looked to be undamaged when discovered among the wreckage. Officials intend to examining information from the devices.

Jet’s last flight details indicated an altitude of that level and a rate of that speed before the accident.

Maintenance Background

Per Federal Aviation Administration records dated that date, a fissure on a component in the center wing fuel tank demanded repairs.

Singapore-based ST Engineering, which stated it provides aircraft servicing for the company’s jet and runs a service location in San Antonio, refused to speak, but said it would work closely when investigators contacted it.

Services Restart

Meanwhile, the hub activities resumed that evening with its express or evening process, official Jim Mayer confirmed. The three tarmacs at Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport were also reopened.

The UPS package handling facility in this location is the firm’s largest. The hub employs over 20,000 individuals in the locality, manages numerous flights daily and processes in excess of four hundred thousand items each hour.

Public Response

A candlelight vigil was organized on the late afternoon of recently by the area worker’s group, which represents workers at the aviation hub, the company’s largest shipping facility.

Worker representatives, which supports staff, commenced the memorial with a moment of silence at that time, the approximate hour of the accident two days earlier.

“This tragedy was so abrupt, so unforeseen,” the mayor spoke to the assembly of 200. “No one had a chance to bid farewell to any of those who we have said farewell to.”