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The number of fatalities from the freight aircraft which ignited and plummeted has now reached 13, per official statements.

Mayor's Statement

While en route to the Union’s candlelight gathering, I learned of a thirteenth victim that passed away as a outcome of the aircraft accident,” stated the municipal leader in a social media post. “My thoughts are with the families, associates and colleagues of all who were lost in this recently occurred calamity. We will endure this together.”

Victims Identified

An announcement from the carrier identified the flight crew operating the jet as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.

“Our thoughts are extended to each employee who has been affected and all in our community area – helping you and ensuring you get the care and aid you need is our main concern,” the firm’s message stated.

Investigation Details

Government authorities announced that the UPS cargo plane’s port side wing ignited and an engine fell off just after departure from the aviation hub, leading to the aircraft to crash and erupt into a fireball.

The safety agency stated it is probing the jet’s maintenance history, that was in Texas for repairs a period before the incident.

Flight tracking information indicated the jet was on the tarmac in San Antonio, Texas from 3 September to 18 October.

“We are aware that this plane was located in San Antonio,” stated an NTSB member on Thursday, not giving a precise period. “We will look at each aspect of service that was done, from the Texas visit, all the way to the date of the journey.”

Retrieval of Critical Evidence

The pilot’s recorder and information unit were found, and the engine was discovered on the airfield.

The recorders – referred to as flight recorders – were constructed to withstand accident forces and intense heat from blazes, and they appeared to be in one piece when discovered within the remains. Authorities plan on examining information from the black boxes.

Jet’s last recorded information displayed an elevation of that level and a velocity of that speed ahead of the accident.

Maintenance History

Based on aviation authority documents from 18 September, a crack on a part in the center wing fuel tank needed repairs.

Singapore-based ST Engineering, which indicated it offers structural repairs for UPS’s MD-11 and operates a service location in San Antonio, declined to speak, but stated it would work closely when officials reached out it.

Services Continue

At the same time, the hub activities restarted that evening with its overnight or evening procedure, spokesperson the company official said. Each of the three landing strips at the aviation hub were also reopened.

The sorting center in Louisville is the firm’s largest. The center engages more than a large number of people in the region, handles numerous flights each day and organizes in excess of 400,000 packages an hour.

Local Support

A gathering was held on the night of 6 November by the local worker’s group, which represents staff at the airfield, the firm’s primary freight center.

Teamsters Local 89, which supports UPS workers, began the memorial with a moment of silence at that time, the estimated moment of the accident two days earlier.

“This event was so abrupt, so surprising,” the mayor told the assembly of attendees. “No one had a opportunity to say goodbye to any one of those who we have lost.”