The total count of victims resulting from the freight aircraft which caught fire and crashed has now climbed to 13, per recent statements.
Mayor's Announcement
“On my way to the Union’s candlelight gathering, I learned of a thirteenth victim that passed away as a consequence of the plane accident,” expressed the municipal leader in a public communication. “My heart are with the families, companions and peers of all who were taken in this recently occurred tragedy. We will overcome this as one.”
Victims Confirmed
A statement from the company listed the flight crew aboard the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts go out to each staff member who has been affected and all in our community community – assisting you and ensuring you obtain the attention and assistance you need is our focus,” the company’s message expressed.
Inquiry Findings
National investigators announced that the freight aircraft’s wing ignited and an motor fell off soon after departure from the aviation hub, leading to the jet to fall and explode into a inferno.
The National Transportation Safety Board has said it is investigating the aircraft’s maintenance history, that was in Texas for fixes several weeks prior to the accident.
Flight tracking information showed the plane was on the runway in the Texas city from early September to mid-October.
“We are knowledgeable that this jet was there in that city,” remarked an NTSB member on Thursday, without a specific date range. “We will review all elements of repairs that was done, even the San Antonio time, right up to the date of the trip.”
Recovery of Key Components
The audio device and data recorder were retrieved, and the engine was found on the runway.
The devices – called flight recorders – were constructed to survive accident forces and extreme fire from infernos, and they looked to be in one piece when discovered among the crash debris. Officials plan on analyzing data from the black boxes.
Jet’s concluding data recordings showed an altitude of 475 ft and a velocity of 210 miles per hour prior to the impact.
Service History
Based on FAA records dated that date, a fracture on a structural piece within the fuel container required repairs.
Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which stated it provides airframe maintenance for the company’s aircraft and runs a repair facility in Texas, refused to comment, but stated it would assist completely when officials approached it.
Operations Continue
Meanwhile, the hub operations resumed Wednesday night with its express or night sort operation, spokesperson the company official stated. All three runways at the aviation hub were also back in operation.
The UPS package handling facility in this location is the firm’s largest. The facility employs more than twenty thousand individuals in the locality, processes numerous trips each day and processes more than 400,000 packages per hour.
Community Reaction
A memorial was conducted on the late afternoon of 6 November by the local labor union, which supports workers at the aviation hub, the organization’s biggest shipping facility.
Worker representatives, which supports UPS workers, commenced the gathering with a quiet tribute at 5.14pm, the rough time of the accident two days earlier.
“This tragedy was so sudden, so unexpected,” the leader addressed the crowd of two hundred. “No one had a chance to bid farewell to each of those who we have mourned.”
