The number of victims resulting from the freight aircraft which burst into flames and plummeted has reached 13, as confirmed by official announcements.
City Leader's Announcement
Traveling to the Union’s vigil, I received word of a additional fatality that died as a result of the aircraft crash,” wrote the city mayor in a social media post. “My thoughts are with the families, companions and colleagues of all who were taken in this recent tragedy. We will get through this together.”
Deceased Confirmed
A release from UPS identified the officers operating the aircraft as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts are extended to each UPSer who has been impacted and everyone in our Louisville area – helping you and making sure you get the attention and aid you need is our main concern,” the organization’s statement expressed.
Inquiry Updates
Federal investigators disclosed that the UPS cargo plane’s left wing burst into flames and an engine detached just after departure from the aviation hub, causing the jet to plummet and explode into a inferno.
The safety agency stated it is investigating the jet’s upkeep logs, which was in the state for fixes weeks prior to the incident.
Flight tracking information showed the jet was on the runway in the Texas city from early September to mid-October.
“We are aware that this jet was there in that city,” said an NTSB member on Thursday, without providing a specific date range. “We will examine each aspect of service that was done, from the San Antonio period, right up to the day of the flight.”
Retrieval of Vital Items
The audio device and flight data recorder were retrieved, and the engine was found on the runway.
The devices – known as flight recorders – were designed to withstand accident forces and extreme temperatures from blazes, and they appeared to be undamaged when discovered among the wreckage. Investigators intend to reviewing information from the devices.
Jet’s last flight details showed an altitude of that level and a velocity of 210 mph before the crash.
Service History
Per FAA documents dated that date, a fissure on a component in the fuel container required maintenance.
Singapore-based ST Engineering, which indicated it offers structural repairs for the company’s MD-11 and operates a service location in that city, chose not to speak, but expressed it would assist completely when investigators approached it.
Operations Continue
At the same time, the facility activities restarted last night with its express or nighttime operation, spokesperson Jim Mayer stated. The three runways at the airport were also open again.
The distribution hub in Louisville is the company’s most significant. The facility engages over a large number of people in the area, manages numerous flights each day and sorts more than a huge volume of parcels per hour.
Community Response
A memorial was held on the late afternoon of 6 November by the local Teamsters Union, which supports staff at the Louisville airport, the organization’s primary air cargo hub.
The union chapter, which stands for staff, started the gathering with a moment of silence at the evening hour, the rough time of the accident two days earlier.
“This incident was so sudden, so unforeseen,” the mayor spoke to the crowd of attendees. “No one had a moment to bid farewell to each of those who we have said farewell to.”
