The tally of fatalities from the UPS cargo plane that caught fire and plummeted has now reached 13, as confirmed by official statements.
Mayor's Remarks
While en route to the Teamsters’ candlelight gathering, I learned of a 13th person that died as a result of the UPS flight 2976 accident,” stated the municipal leader in a social media post. “My prayers are with the families, associates and colleagues of all who were lost in this recently occurred calamity. We will get through this collectively.”
Victims Identified
A statement from the company listed the flight crew aboard the jet as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts are extended to all staff member who has been impacted and everyone in our Louisville community – supporting you and making sure you receive the support and resources you need is our focus,” the company’s communication read.
Investigation Updates
Federal investigators announced that the freight aircraft’s wing caught fire and an power plant detached soon after takeoff from the airfield, causing the jet to crash and explode into a fireball.
The NTSB announced it is examining the aircraft’s service record, that was in Texas for maintenance a period ahead of the incident.
Aviation information indicated the jet was on the tarmac in the Texas city from the start of last month to last week.
“We are cognizant that this jet was present in the facility,” remarked an official on the following day, without providing a exact time frame. “We will review every piece of service that was completed, from the San Antonio period, all the way to the time of the journey.”
Findings of Key Components
The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were found, and the engine was found on the airfield.
The devices – known as black boxes – were constructed to withstand accident forces and intense fire from blazes, and they looked to be intact when located within the wreckage. Authorities will analyzing information from the black boxes.
Aircraft’s final flight details displayed an elevation of 475 feet and a speed of 210 mph ahead of the accident.
Repair Record
Based on FAA files from 18 September, a fissure on a component inside the fuel container required repairs.
Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which said it supplies aircraft servicing for the carrier’s MD-11 and operates a maintenance center in Texas, declined to comment, but expressed it would work closely when investigators contacted it.
Operations Continue
Meanwhile, the hub operations restarted that evening with its express also known as nighttime process, spokesperson a representative confirmed. The three runways at Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport were additionally reopened.
The distribution hub in Louisville is the firm’s most significant. The center employs over twenty thousand people in the locality, manages three hundred aircraft daily and processes over 400,000 packages an hour.
Community Response
A gathering was held on the evening of recently by the area labor union, which supports staff at the aviation hub, the company’s primary shipping facility.
Teamsters Local 89, which supports staff, began the memorial with a quiet tribute at the evening hour, the approximate time of the incident previously.
“This incident was so abrupt, so surprising,” the mayor addressed the group of attendees. “No one had a moment to part to each of those who we have lost.”
