The number of lives lost from the freight aircraft which burst into flames and went down has risen to 13, per official announcements.
Mayor's Remarks
“On my way to the Workers’ candlelight gathering, I received word of a 13th person that died as a result of the UPS flight 2976 crash,” stated the city mayor in a online message. “My thoughts is with the families, friends and peers of all who were killed in this week’s disaster. We will endure this collectively.”
Casualties Confirmed
A statement from the company named the officers operating the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our sympathies reach out to all staff member who has been impacted and everyone in our community area – supporting you and making sure you obtain the support and resources you need is our priority,” the organization’s message expressed.
Investigation Findings
Federal investigators announced that the jet’s port side wing burst into flames and an power plant separated just after takeoff from the aviation hub, causing the aircraft to crash and explode into a blaze.
The safety agency stated it is investigating the jet’s service record, that was in the state for fixes weeks before the crash.
Aviation records indicated the jet was on the runway in the Texas city from early September to mid-October.
“We are aware that this plane was there in San Antonio,” remarked an investigator on later, not giving a exact period. “We will review each aspect of repairs that was performed, including the Texas visit, all the way to the day of the journey.”
Retrieval of Key Items
The pilot’s recorder and information unit were retrieved, and the engine was discovered on the runway.
The units – known as flight recorders – were constructed to withstand collision damage and intense temperatures from fires, and they seemed to be undamaged when discovered among the wreckage. Authorities will reviewing recordings from the black boxes.
The plane’s final data recordings indicated an elevation of 475 ft and a rate of 210 mph ahead of the accident.
Maintenance Background
Based on FAA files dated last month, a fracture on a component in the fuel container demanded repairs.
Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which said it offers airframe maintenance for the company’s MD-11 and operates a maintenance center in Texas, refused to comment, but stated it would work closely when investigators approached it.
Activities Continue
In the meantime, the hub operations resumed last night with its overnight also known as night sort procedure, representative a representative said. All three landing strips at the aviation hub were also open again.
The sorting center in the city is the firm’s largest. The center employs over a large number of individuals in the region, processes numerous flights each day and organizes more than 400,000 items an hour.
Public Response
A memorial was conducted on the late afternoon of 6 November by the regional Teamsters Union, which supports employees at the aviation hub, the organization’s largest shipping facility.
Teamsters Local 89, which represents UPS workers, commenced the gathering with a quiet tribute at the evening hour, the approximate hour of the incident two days earlier.
“This incident was so abrupt, so unexpected,” the mayor addressed the assembly of attendees. “No one had a opportunity to part to each of those who we have mourned.”
