The total count of victims from the freight aircraft that caught fire and plummeted has climbed to 13, per official announcements.
Mayor's Remarks
“On my way to the Teamsters’ vigil, I learned of a thirteenth victim that died as a result of the UPS flight 2976 crash,” stated the local official in a social media post. “My thoughts are with the families, friends and peers of all who were killed in this recently occurred tragedy. We will endure this as one.”
Victims Confirmed
A statement from the company named the officers operating the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our thoughts reach out to every UPSer who has been touched and all in our local community – helping you and making sure you obtain the attention and assistance you need is our focus,” the organization’s message read.
Investigation Updates
Government investigators revealed that the freight aircraft’s wing caught fire and an motor fell off just after liftoff from the aviation hub, leading to the plane to plummet and erupt into a fireball.
The NTSB announced it is examining the aircraft’s upkeep logs, which was in Texas for repairs several weeks ahead of the incident.
Flight tracking information revealed the plane was on the ground in the Texas city from the start of last month to 18 October.
“We are knowledgeable that this aircraft was present in the facility,” said an official on later, without providing a specific time frame. “We will look at every piece of repairs that was performed, including the Texas period, all the way to the time of the flight.”
Recovery of Vital Components
The cockpit voice recorder and data recorder were found, and the power plant was found on the tarmac.
The units – called data containers – were constructed to survive collision damage and severe temperatures from blazes, and they appeared to be undamaged when discovered within the wreckage. Officials plan on examining recordings from the recorders.
Aircraft’s concluding flight details showed an elevation of 475 ft and a speed of 210 miles per hour prior to the crash.
Service Background
Based on Federal Aviation Administration records dated last month, a fracture on a structural piece within the center wing fuel tank required fixes.
Singapore-based ST Engineering, which said it offers airframe maintenance for UPS’s jet and runs a maintenance center in that city, chose not to comment, but expressed it would cooperate fully when relevant authorities reached out it.
Operations Resume
In the meantime, the facility services restarted that evening with its overnight or nighttime operation, spokesperson the company official confirmed. The three landing strips at the airport were also reopened.
The distribution hub in this location is the company’s most significant. The hub hires over 20,000 workers in the region, processes 300 trips per day and processes more than 400,000 items each hour.
Community Support
A gathering was conducted on the night of that date by the regional Teamsters Union, which supports employees at the airfield, the organization’s biggest air cargo hub.
Worker representatives, which supports UPS workers, commenced the memorial with a quiet tribute at the evening hour, the approximate hour of the incident previously.
“This incident was so unexpected, so surprising,” the leader spoke to the crowd of attendees. “No one had a chance to say goodbye to any one of those who we have said farewell to.”
