The tally of fatalities due to the freight aircraft that burst into flames and went down has climbed to 13, as confirmed by recent reports.
City Leader's Remarks
While en route to the Workers’ memorial service, I received word of a additional fatality that died as a consequence of the UPS flight 2976 incident,” expressed the city mayor in a social media post. “My heart is with the families, friends and colleagues of all who were killed in this week’s tragedy. We will overcome this together.”
Victims Confirmed
A statement from the company identified the officers aboard the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Captain Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts reach out to all employee who has been impacted and everyone in our community community – supporting you and making sure you get the support and resources you need is our priority,” the organization’s message read.
Investigation Findings
National officials disclosed that the UPS cargo plane’s left wing burst into flames and an motor fell off just after departure from the Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport, causing the jet to fall and explode into a fireball.
The safety agency stated it is examining the jet’s upkeep logs, that was in the state for repairs several weeks prior to the accident.
Aircraft data indicated the aircraft was on the tarmac in San Antonio, Texas from 3 September to mid-October.
“We are cognizant that this plane was there in San Antonio,” remarked an NTSB member on the following day, without a exact period. “We will examine every piece of service that was performed, including the San Antonio visit, straight to the time of the journey.”
Recovery of Key Items
The pilot’s recorder and flight data recorder were retrieved, and the engine was discovered on the airfield.
The recorders – referred to as black boxes – were built to survive accident forces and extreme heat from infernos, and they looked to be intact when located among the remains. Officials will analyzing data from the devices.
The plane’s concluding data recordings displayed an height of that level and a speed of 210 mph prior to the impact.
Maintenance History
Per FAA records dated that date, a fracture on a structural piece inside the center wing fuel tank required repairs.
Singapore-based ST Engineering, which said it offers structural repairs for UPS’s MD-11 and runs a repair facility in San Antonio, refused to provide remarks, but said it would cooperate fully when investigators reached out it.
Services Continue
At the same time, UPS Worldport operations restarted that evening with its Next Day Air also known as nighttime process, official a representative confirmed. Each of the three landing strips at the airport were also back in operation.
The UPS package handling facility in the city is the organization’s most significant. The hub engages in excess of twenty thousand people in the area, processes numerous aircraft each day and sorts more than 400,000 parcels per hour.
Public Response
A gathering was organized on the night of that date by the local labor union, which represents staff at the Louisville airport, the organization’s primary freight center.
Teamsters Local 89, which supports employees, started the memorial with a moment of silence at 5.14pm, the estimated hour of the incident before.
“This tragedy was so sudden, so unforeseen,” the leader told the group of 200. “No one had a opportunity to part to any of those who we have mourned.”
