The number of victims due to the transport jet which caught fire and went down has reached 13, per official reports.
City Leader's Remarks
While en route to the Teamsters’ memorial service, I was informed of a 13th person that died as a result of the aircraft crash,” wrote the municipal leader in a online message. “My prayers is with the families, companions and co-workers of all who were lost in this week’s calamity. We will overcome this as one.”
Casualties Confirmed
A statement from the company identified the flight crew on board the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts are extended to every UPSer who has been impacted and all in our community area – assisting you and making sure you get the attention and aid you need is our focus,” the company’s message expressed.
Investigation Details
Government authorities disclosed that the freight aircraft’s left wing caught fire and an motor fell off shortly after liftoff from the airfield, resulting in the aircraft to plummet and explode into a blaze.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced it is examining the aircraft’s service record, which was in Texas for fixes several weeks before the accident.
Flight tracking data indicated the jet was on the runway in the Texas city from 3 September to mid-October.
“We are cognizant that this jet was there in the facility,” said an official on later, without a precise date range. “We will look at each aspect of repairs that was performed, including the San Antonio visit, straight to the date of the journey.”
Retrieval of Critical Evidence
The cockpit voice recorder and information unit were recovered, and the motor was located on the runway.
The devices – known as black boxes – were constructed to endure accident forces and extreme fire from fires, and they appeared to be undamaged when located amid the crash debris. Officials plan on reviewing information from the black boxes.
Aircraft’s last recorded information displayed an height of 475 feet and a speed of 210 mph prior to the impact.
Maintenance Background
Based on aviation authority records from 18 September, a fissure on a structural piece in the tank area needed repairs.
The company ST Engineering, which stated it supplies aircraft servicing for the company’s jet and runs a maintenance center in Texas, declined to provide remarks, but said it would assist completely when officials approached it.
Services Resume
At the same time, UPS Worldport activities continued last night with its Next Day Air or nighttime process, representative Jim Mayer said. The three runways at the airport were likewise reopened.
The distribution hub in this location is the organization’s most significant. The hub engages in excess of twenty thousand people in the region, processes numerous aircraft each day and processes over 400,000 items an hour.
Public Response
A candlelight vigil was organized on the evening of that date by the regional Teamsters Union, which supports workers at the airfield, the company’s biggest freight center.
Worker representatives, which supports staff, began the vigil with a quiet tribute at that time, the approximate time of the crash before.
“This event was so abrupt, so surprising,” the leader addressed the assembly of two hundred. “No one had a opportunity to part to each of those who we have mourned.”
