The number of fatalities resulting from the UPS cargo plane which caught fire and plummeted has risen to 13, according to latest announcements.
City Leader's Statement
While en route to the Union’s candlelight gathering, I was informed of a thirteenth victim that died as a consequence of the plane crash,” wrote the city mayor in a social media post. “My prayers is with the relatives, associates and colleagues of all who were taken in this week’s tragedy. We will get through this together.”
Victims Named
An announcement from UPS identified the flight crew aboard the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our thoughts are extended to all UPSer who has been affected and everyone in our Louisville area – helping you and making sure you receive the support and resources you need is our main concern,” the company’s message expressed.
Probe Findings
Federal authorities revealed that the UPS cargo plane’s port side wing ignited and an power plant detached soon after departure from the aviation hub, causing the plane to crash and erupt into a fireball.
The NTSB announced it is probing the jet’s service record, which was in Texas for maintenance several weeks ahead of the accident.
Aircraft records showed the jet was on the ground in that location from 3 September to mid-October.
“We are aware that this aircraft was present in San Antonio,” remarked an official on the following day, without a specific date range. “We will review every piece of service that was performed, including the San Antonio visit, all the way to the time of the journey.”
Recovery of Critical Components
The pilot’s recorder and flight data recorder were retrieved, and the power plant was discovered on the tarmac.
The units – referred to as black boxes – were designed to withstand crash impacts and severe fire from blazes, and they appeared to be intact when found among the wreckage. Officials will examining recordings from the devices.
The plane’s concluding data recordings displayed an elevation of 475 feet and a velocity of 210 mph ahead of the crash.
Maintenance History
Per aviation authority documents from 18 September, a fracture on a part inside the tank area needed maintenance.
The company ST Engineering, which stated it supplies structural repairs for UPS’s jet and manages a maintenance center in Texas, declined to provide remarks, but expressed it would assist completely when relevant authorities reached out it.
Activities Continue
In the meantime, the facility activities continued Wednesday night with its Next Day Air or nighttime operation, representative the company official confirmed. The three landing strips at the aviation hub were also open again.
The UPS package handling facility in the city is the company’s largest. The facility engages in excess of 20,000 workers in the region, processes 300 aircraft per day and processes in excess of four hundred thousand parcels an hour.
Community Support
A candlelight vigil was conducted on the night of recently by the area worker’s group, which represents workers at the Louisville airport, the firm’s primary shipping facility.
Worker representatives, which supports staff, began the gathering with a period of reflection at that time, the rough time of the crash previously.
“This event was so unexpected, so surprising,” the mayor told the group of 200. “No one had a chance to part to any one of those who we have said farewell to.”
