The number of fatalities resulting from the transport jet which caught fire and plummeted has reached 13, according to official statements.
Mayor's Remarks
“On my way to the Union’s vigil, I received word of a thirteenth victim that passed away as a outcome of the UPS flight 2976 crash,” expressed the local official in a public communication. “My prayers are with the relatives, friends and co-workers of all who were killed in this week’s tragedy. We will overcome this collectively.”
Deceased Confirmed
A statement from UPS identified the officers on board the jet as Captain Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our sympathies are extended to all employee who has been impacted and everyone in our community area – helping you and ensuring you get the care and aid you need is our priority,” the company’s communication stated.
Probe Findings
National investigators disclosed that the freight aircraft’s left wing burst into flames and an engine detached just after takeoff from the airfield, resulting in the aircraft to fall and burst into a fireball.
The National Transportation Safety Board has said it is investigating the jet’s service record, that was in the state for repairs a period before the crash.
Aircraft data indicated the jet was on the runway in the Texas city from early September to mid-October.
“We are cognizant that this jet was present in that city,” said an investigator on the following day, not giving a precise time frame. “We will examine each aspect of service that was performed, including the San Antonio period, all the way to the time of the trip.”
Retrieval of Critical Items
The audio device and flight data recorder were found, and the engine was located on the tarmac.
The units – called data containers – were constructed to survive collision damage and severe temperatures from fires, and they seemed to be in one piece when located within the crash debris. Authorities plan on examining data from the black boxes.
Aircraft’s final data recordings displayed an altitude of 475 ft and a velocity of 210 mph prior to the accident.
Repair Record
According to FAA records dated 18 September, a fissure on a component inside the center wing fuel tank needed repairs.
Singapore-based ST Engineering, which stated it supplies airframe maintenance for UPS’s MD-11 and runs a maintenance center in San Antonio, chose not to comment, but expressed it would assist completely when officials reached out it.
Activities Restart
At the same time, the facility activities restarted that evening with its overnight also known as nighttime procedure, spokesperson a representative stated. Each of the three tarmacs at the aviation hub were additionally back in operation.
The UPS package handling facility in this location is the company’s biggest. The hub hires more than 20,000 individuals in the area, manages 300 aircraft daily and organizes over four hundred thousand parcels each hour.
Public Reaction
A memorial was organized on the late afternoon of recently by the regional labor union, which acts for employees at the aviation hub, the company’s largest freight center.
Worker representatives, which stands for UPS workers, began the gathering with a period of reflection at the evening hour, the estimated hour of the incident before.
“This event was so unexpected, so unexpected,” the mayor spoke to the group of attendees. “No one had a moment to say goodbye to any of those who we have mourned.”
