The number of victims from the freight aircraft that caught fire and went down has now climbed to 13, according to recent reports.
City Leader's Remarks
While en route to the Union’s candlelight gathering, I learned of a 13th person that lost their life as a consequence of the UPS flight 2976 incident,” wrote the local official in a social media post. “My heart are with the relatives, companions and co-workers of all who were lost in this recent tragedy. We will get through this as one.”
Casualties Named
A release from the carrier listed the flight crew operating the aircraft as Captain Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our thoughts are extended to all UPSer who has been affected and everyone in our local community – helping you and ensuring you get the care and aid you need is our priority,” the organization’s statement read.
Inquiry Updates
National investigators revealed that the jet’s left wing burst into flames and an engine detached shortly after liftoff from the airfield, causing the jet to fall and erupt into a fireball.
The safety agency stated it is examining the plane’s service record, which was in Texas for maintenance a period before the incident.
Flight tracking records showed the jet was on the ground in that location from 3 September to 18 October.
“We are aware that this plane was present in San Antonio,” remarked an official on the following day, without a exact time frame. “We will review all elements of repairs that was completed, including the repair visit, straight to the time of the journey.”
Retrieval of Critical Items
The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were found, and the power plant was discovered on the runway.
The devices – called flight recorders – were constructed to endure collision damage and extreme fire from fires, and they appeared to be in one piece when discovered within the crash debris. Investigators intend to reviewing recordings from the black boxes.
Aircraft’s last recorded information showed an altitude of that level and a speed of 210 miles per hour prior to the impact.
Maintenance Record
According to Federal Aviation Administration records from last month, a fissure on a part within the tank area needed fixes.
The company ST Engineering, which indicated it supplies aircraft servicing for UPS’s MD-11 and manages a repair facility in San Antonio, refused to comment, but said it would assist completely when relevant authorities approached it.
Operations Continue
At the same time, the facility activities continued last night with its express or nighttime process, representative Jim Mayer said. All three tarmacs at the airport were additionally open again.
The sorting center in this location is the organization’s largest. The facility employs in excess of twenty thousand people in the region, processes 300 aircraft daily and sorts over 400,000 parcels each hour.
Community Support
A candlelight vigil was organized on the night of that date by the area Teamsters Union, which supports staff at the aviation hub, the organization’s largest freight center.
The union chapter, which stands for UPS workers, started the vigil with a moment of silence at the evening hour, the rough moment of the incident before.
“This incident was so sudden, so unexpected,” the leader told the assembly of two hundred. “No one had a chance to part to any one of those who we have said farewell to.”
