The tally of fatalities due to the transport jet which ignited and crashed has reached 13, as confirmed by official statements.
Official's Announcement
While en route to the Union’s memorial service, I received word of a thirteenth victim that died as a result of the plane incident,” wrote the local official in a social media post. “My prayers are with the families, friends and colleagues of all who were killed in this week’s tragedy. We will endure this together.”
Casualties Named
A statement from the company named the flight crew aboard the aircraft as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our sympathies are extended to each UPSer who has been affected and all in our local region – helping you and making sure you get the care and assistance you need is our main concern,” the firm’s communication expressed.
Inquiry Updates
Federal officials revealed that the freight aircraft’s left wing caught fire and an engine separated shortly after departure from the airfield, resulting in the aircraft to plummet and burst into a blaze.
The safety agency has said it is probing the jet’s service record, that was in the state for maintenance a period prior to the incident.
Aviation records indicated the jet was on the ground in San Antonio, Texas from 3 September to mid-October.
“We are cognizant that this jet was present in San Antonio,” said an NTSB member on the following day, not giving a exact period. “We will look at each aspect of maintenance that was performed, including the Texas time, all the way to the time of the flight.”
Retrieval of Critical Evidence
The cockpit voice recorder and data recorder were recovered, and the power plant was located on the runway.
The units – called flight recorders – were constructed to withstand collision damage and severe fire from infernos, and they looked to be undamaged when discovered among the crash debris. Officials plan on analyzing recordings from the devices.
Jet’s final flight details showed an height of 475 ft and a speed of that speed prior to the accident.
Service History
Based on aviation authority documents dated 18 September, a crack on a structural piece within the center wing fuel tank required repairs.
The company ST Engineering, which stated it offers aircraft servicing for the carrier’s jet and manages a service location in that city, declined to provide remarks, but expressed it would assist completely when investigators reached out it.
Activities Restart
At the same time, UPS Worldport operations continued that evening with its overnight or nighttime process, representative the company official stated. All three runways at the airport were additionally reopened.
The sorting center in the city is the firm’s most significant. The facility hires more than 20,000 individuals in the region, handles three hundred trips daily and organizes more than four hundred thousand items an hour.
Public Reaction
A candlelight vigil was organized on the evening of 6 November by the regional Teamsters Union, which acts for employees at the airfield, the organization’s largest freight center.
The union chapter, which represents UPS workers, began the vigil with a moment of silence at 5.14pm, the approximate hour of the accident two days earlier.
“This incident was so abrupt, so unexpected,” the leader addressed the group of attendees. “No one had a opportunity to part to any one of those who we have said farewell to.”
