The tally of fatalities from the UPS cargo plane that burst into flames and went down has risen to 13, as confirmed by latest statements.
Mayor's Remarks
While en route to the Workers’ vigil, I learned of a thirteenth victim that lost their life as a result of the UPS flight 2976 crash,” expressed the local official in a social media post. “My heart is with the relatives, companions and colleagues of all who were killed in this week’s tragedy. We will endure this as one.”
Victims Named
A statement from the company identified the officers on board the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our thoughts reach out to all UPSer who has been impacted and all in our community community – assisting you and making sure you get the support and resources you need is our priority,” the organization’s statement expressed.
Investigation Updates
Federal officials revealed that the UPS cargo plane’s wing ignited and an power plant fell off just after liftoff from the airfield, leading to the aircraft to crash and erupt into a inferno.
The NTSB has said it is investigating the aircraft’s service record, which was in the state for maintenance several weeks prior to the accident.
Aircraft information showed the plane was on the ground in that location from the start of last month to last week.
“We are aware that this aircraft was there in that city,” said an investigator on the following day, without a specific time frame. “We will review all elements of service that was done, including the repair period, straight to the time of the flight.”
Recovery of Vital Evidence
The cockpit voice recorder and information unit were recovered, and the power plant was discovered on the runway.
The units – known as black boxes – were built to withstand collision damage and intense heat from fires, and they appeared to be intact when found within the crash debris. Authorities intend to reviewing recordings from the devices.
Aircraft’s last recorded information indicated an elevation of 475 feet and a speed of 210 mph prior to the accident.
Maintenance Record
Per FAA records from that date, a fracture on a structural piece inside the fuel container required maintenance.
Singapore-based ST Engineering, which stated it offers airframe maintenance for UPS’s aircraft and operates a repair facility in San Antonio, declined to comment, but said it would assist completely when investigators approached it.
Activities Resume
At the same time, the facility operations restarted last night with its overnight or nighttime operation, official the company official said. All three landing strips at Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport were additionally reopened.
The sorting center in the city is the company’s biggest. The facility employs more than 20,000 workers in the locality, manages numerous flights each day and processes more than four hundred thousand packages an hour.
Community Response
A gathering was held on the night of that date by the area Teamsters Union, which acts for workers at the Louisville airport, the organization’s primary air cargo hub.
Worker representatives, which supports staff, commenced the gathering with a quiet tribute at that time, the estimated moment of the crash previously.
“This incident was so sudden, so surprising,” the official addressed the crowd of attendees. “No one had a opportunity to say goodbye to any one of those who we have mourned.”
