The total count of victims resulting from the freight aircraft that ignited and went down has now reached 13, as confirmed by latest reports.
Official's Remarks
“On my way to the Teamsters’ vigil, I received word of a 13th person that lost their life as a consequence of the plane incident,” stated the local official in a social media post. “My thoughts are with the relatives, friends and colleagues of all who were killed in this recently occurred tragedy. We will get through this together.”
Victims Confirmed
A statement from the company identified the pilots aboard the jet as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our sympathies go out to every staff member who has been touched and everyone in our local community – supporting you and ensuring you obtain the care and resources you need is our priority,” the firm’s statement expressed.
Probe Updates
National authorities revealed that the UPS cargo plane’s port side wing ignited and an engine fell off just after takeoff from the airfield, leading to the plane to fall and explode into a blaze.
The National Transportation Safety Board has said it is probing the aircraft’s service record, that was in Texas for repairs a period prior to the incident.
Flight tracking information showed the jet was on the tarmac in that location from 3 September to last week.
“We are knowledgeable that this jet was there in San Antonio,” stated an NTSB member on Thursday, not giving a exact date range. “We will review every piece of service that was done, including the San Antonio visit, all the way to the time of the journey.”
Retrieval of Critical Evidence
The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were recovered, and the engine was found on the airfield.
The devices – referred to as black boxes – were built to survive crash impacts and extreme fire from fires, and they seemed to be undamaged when located amid the crash debris. Officials plan on analyzing information from the recorders.
Jet’s final data recordings displayed an elevation of 475 feet and a rate of 210 miles per hour ahead of the impact.
Maintenance Background
Based on aviation authority documents dated that date, a crack on a component in the fuel container demanded maintenance.
Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which indicated it offers airframe maintenance for the carrier’s jet and operates a maintenance center in San Antonio, refused to provide remarks, but stated it would work closely when relevant authorities approached it.
Activities Resume
In the meantime, UPS Worldport services continued that evening with its Next Day Air or nighttime procedure, official the company official said. All three runways at the airport were additionally back in operation.
The distribution hub in the city is the organization’s most significant. The center employs in excess of 20,000 people in the area, handles 300 aircraft per day and processes more than 400,000 items an hour.
Public Reaction
A memorial was held on the late afternoon of that date by the area Teamsters Union, which acts for employees at the airfield, the firm’s largest shipping facility.
Worker representatives, which supports employees, commenced the gathering with a quiet tribute at 5.14pm, the approximate time of the accident previously.
“This tragedy was so abrupt, so unexpected,” the official spoke to the crowd of two hundred. “No one had a chance to say goodbye to any one of those who we have lost.”
