The number of victims resulting from the freight aircraft which burst into flames and plummeted has now climbed to 13, per recent reports.
Mayor's Remarks
Traveling to the Teamsters’ memorial service, I received word of a 13th person that passed away as a consequence of the UPS flight 2976 accident,” stated the local official in a social media post. “My thoughts is with the families, friends and colleagues of all who were lost in this week’s calamity. We will overcome this together.”
Victims Identified
A statement from UPS named the flight crew operating the aircraft as Captain Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts are extended to each UPSer who has been affected and everyone in our Louisville area – assisting you and making sure you obtain the support and resources you need is our main concern,” the organization’s message stated.
Investigation Details
Government officials disclosed that the freight aircraft’s left wing ignited and an power plant separated just after liftoff from the aviation hub, leading to the aircraft to fall and burst into a inferno.
The NTSB has said it is examining the aircraft’s maintenance history, which was in Texas for maintenance a period prior to the incident.
Aviation data indicated the plane was on the tarmac in San Antonio, Texas from 3 September to last week.
“We are cognizant that this plane was there in San Antonio,” remarked an NTSB member on Thursday, without a specific time frame. “We will look at every piece of service that was completed, even the San Antonio period, all the way to the day of the flight.”
Retrieval of Critical Components
The pilot’s recorder and information unit were recovered, and the motor was found on the runway.
The devices – referred to as flight recorders – were constructed to endure crash impacts and severe fire from infernos, and they appeared to be in one piece when located amid the wreckage. Authorities will analyzing recordings from the devices.
Jet’s last data recordings displayed an altitude of that level and a velocity of 210 mph prior to the crash.
Maintenance Record
Per aviation authority records dated 18 September, a fracture on a part in the tank area required fixes.
Singapore-based ST Engineering, which stated it provides structural repairs for UPS’s jet and manages a service location in Texas, refused to provide remarks, but expressed it would assist completely when officials approached it.
Operations Restart
Meanwhile, UPS Worldport activities restarted that evening with its Next Day Air or evening process, representative the company official confirmed. The three landing strips at the airport were likewise open again.
The UPS package handling facility in this location is the organization’s largest. The facility employs more than 20,000 workers in the locality, processes numerous aircraft each day and organizes over a huge volume of items each hour.
Local Reaction
A memorial was held on the night of 6 November by the regional Teamsters Union, which represents workers at the airfield, the firm’s biggest air cargo hub.
The union chapter, which represents employees, commenced the memorial with a quiet tribute at the evening hour, the approximate hour of the accident previously.
“This event was so sudden, so unexpected,” the mayor spoke to the group of attendees. “No one had a chance to part to any of those who we have said farewell to.”
