The total count of lives lost due to the transport jet that ignited and plummeted has risen to 13, as confirmed by recent reports.
City Leader's Statement
While en route to the Teamsters’ memorial service, I learned of a additional fatality that died as a outcome of the UPS flight 2976 crash,” stated the local official in a social media post. “My thoughts is with the relatives, associates and colleagues of all who were taken in this recent calamity. We will endure this as one.”
Casualties Confirmed
An announcement from UPS identified the pilots aboard the aircraft as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our thoughts reach out to every UPSer who has been affected and everyone in our local community – helping you and making sure you receive the attention and resources you need is our main concern,” the company’s message stated.
Investigation Findings
Federal authorities disclosed that the freight aircraft’s wing ignited and an motor fell off soon after liftoff from the aviation hub, causing the plane to crash and burst into a blaze.
The safety agency has said it is investigating the jet’s maintenance history, which was in the state for repairs a period ahead of the crash.
Flight tracking information showed the plane was on the tarmac in the Texas city from 3 September to mid-October.
“We are cognizant that this aircraft was present in that city,” stated an official on Thursday, without providing a exact period. “We will review all elements of maintenance that was performed, even the San Antonio visit, all the way to the date of the trip.”
Retrieval of Critical Evidence
The pilot’s recorder and flight data recorder were recovered, and the motor was discovered on the airfield.
The units – known as flight recorders – were constructed to endure collision damage and intense temperatures from blazes, and they seemed to be intact when located among the remains. Investigators plan on reviewing data from the black boxes.
The plane’s last data recordings indicated an altitude of 475 ft and a speed of 210 miles per hour before the impact.
Maintenance History
Per Federal Aviation Administration records dated 18 September, a fissure on a structural piece within the center wing fuel tank demanded fixes.
Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which stated it offers aircraft servicing for UPS’s jet and manages a repair facility in Texas, refused to comment, but said it would cooperate fully when officials approached it.
Services Resume
At the same time, the hub operations continued that evening with its express also known as nighttime process, spokesperson a representative confirmed. Each of the three runways at the aviation hub were likewise reopened.
The UPS package handling facility in the city is the firm’s biggest. The facility employs over 20,000 workers in the area, processes 300 flights daily and processes more than a huge volume of items each hour.
Public Support
A candlelight vigil was organized on the night of 6 November by the regional labor union, which supports staff at the aviation hub, the firm’s largest air cargo hub.
The union chapter, which represents employees, started the gathering with a period of reflection at the evening hour, the rough time of the crash previously.
“This event was so sudden, so surprising,” the mayor spoke to the crowd of two hundred. “No one had a chance to say goodbye to any of those who we have lost.”
