The total count of victims from the UPS cargo plane which burst into flames and crashed has now reached 13, per official reports.
City Leader's Statement
Traveling to the Union’s vigil, I received word of a additional fatality that died as a result of the aircraft incident,” wrote the municipal leader in a public communication. “My thoughts are with the loved ones, friends and colleagues of all who were killed in this recently occurred tragedy. We will endure this together.”
Deceased Identified
A release from UPS named the pilots operating the aircraft as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our sympathies are extended to all UPSer who has been affected and all in our local community – supporting you and making sure you get the attention and resources you need is our priority,” the organization’s statement expressed.
Investigation Updates
Federal authorities disclosed that the jet’s port side wing ignited and an engine detached soon after liftoff from the aviation hub, leading to the aircraft to fall and explode into a inferno.
The NTSB stated it is examining the plane’s service record, which was in the state for repairs several weeks prior to the incident.
Aircraft data indicated the plane was on the tarmac in that location from the start of last month to 18 October.
“We are aware that this plane was there in San Antonio,” said an investigator on later, not giving a exact date range. “We will review every piece of maintenance that was done, from the San Antonio visit, right up to the date of the journey.”
Findings of Critical Items
The pilot’s recorder and flight data recorder were recovered, and the motor was located on the runway.
The units – referred to as flight recorders – were constructed to endure collision damage and severe fire from blazes, and they looked to be in one piece when found within the remains. Officials plan on examining data from the black boxes.
Aircraft’s last flight details showed an height of 475 ft and a velocity of that speed prior to the impact.
Maintenance Background
Per Federal Aviation Administration records from last month, a fissure on a component inside the center wing fuel tank required maintenance.
Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which said it provides airframe maintenance for the carrier’s jet and manages a maintenance center in San Antonio, declined to provide remarks, but stated it would assist completely when investigators contacted it.
Operations Continue
In the meantime, UPS Worldport activities continued last night with its Next Day Air or night sort process, spokesperson a representative stated. The three runways at the airport were additionally open again.
The distribution hub in this location is the organization’s largest. The facility employs over 20,000 people in the locality, handles three hundred aircraft daily and processes over 400,000 items per hour.
Local Support
A candlelight vigil was conducted on the evening of 6 November by the local worker’s group, which represents staff at the airfield, the organization’s largest air cargo hub.
Worker representatives, which stands for UPS workers, began the vigil with a quiet tribute at the evening hour, the estimated time of the crash before.
“This tragedy was so sudden, so surprising,” the leader told the assembly of two hundred. “No one had a moment to part to any one of those who we have said farewell to.”
