The total count of victims from the UPS cargo plane that caught fire and crashed has climbed to 13, according to official announcements.
Mayor's Announcement
While en route to the Teamsters’ memorial service, I was informed of a additional fatality that passed away as a result of the UPS flight 2976 accident,” wrote the municipal leader in a social media post. “My thoughts is with the families, friends and colleagues of all who were lost in this recently occurred calamity. We will get through this collectively.”
Victims Named
An announcement from UPS listed the flight crew aboard the aircraft as Captain Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts reach out to all staff member who has been touched and everyone in our local area – helping you and guaranteeing you get the care and resources you need is our main concern,” the company’s statement expressed.
Inquiry Details
Government investigators disclosed that the jet’s left wing caught fire and an power plant detached soon after liftoff from the airfield, causing the aircraft to plummet and explode into a blaze.
The NTSB stated it is examining the aircraft’s maintenance history, which was in Texas for maintenance several weeks ahead of the incident.
Aviation data revealed the plane was on the runway in that location from the start of last month to last week.
“We are aware that this aircraft was there in that city,” stated an official on Thursday, without a specific date range. “We will examine each aspect of service that was done, including the Texas visit, straight to the time of the flight.”
Findings of Key Evidence
The cockpit voice recorder and data recorder were found, and the engine was discovered on the tarmac.
The devices – referred to as data containers – were constructed to withstand crash impacts and intense fire from blazes, and they appeared to be in one piece when discovered amid the crash debris. Authorities will reviewing recordings from the black boxes.
Aircraft’s last data recordings indicated an height of 475 ft and a speed of 210 mph before the accident.
Repair History
Per Federal Aviation Administration records dated last month, a fracture on a component in the center wing fuel tank needed maintenance.
Singapore-based ST Engineering, which indicated it supplies airframe maintenance for UPS’s jet and operates a repair facility in Texas, declined to speak, but stated it would assist completely when officials contacted it.
Operations Continue
At the same time, UPS Worldport services continued Wednesday night with its overnight or night sort procedure, spokesperson a representative confirmed. The three runways at the airport were likewise open again.
The sorting center in this location is the company’s largest. The hub employs over 20,000 individuals in the locality, processes numerous aircraft per day and organizes over four hundred thousand parcels each hour.
Public Support
A memorial was organized on the evening of that date by the area Teamsters Union, which acts for employees at the aviation hub, the firm’s biggest air cargo hub.
Worker representatives, which supports staff, commenced the memorial with a moment of silence at 5.14pm, the approximate time of the crash before.
“This event was so abrupt, so unforeseen,” the official told the group of attendees. “No one had a chance to part to any one of those who we have said farewell to.”
