The tally of fatalities from the transport jet which caught fire and plummeted has risen to 13, per official announcements.
Official's Remarks
While en route to the Teamsters’ candlelight gathering, I learned of a additional fatality that lost their life as a consequence of the UPS flight 2976 incident,” stated the local official in a public communication. “My heart is with the loved ones, associates and colleagues of all who were killed in this week’s tragedy. We will get through this collectively.”
Victims Identified
A release from the company named the flight crew operating the jet as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
“Our thoughts reach out to each UPSer who has been touched and all in our community area – assisting you and making sure you receive the attention and aid you need is our focus,” the company’s communication stated.
Inquiry Details
Government authorities revealed that the UPS cargo plane’s wing ignited and an engine fell off just after departure from the airfield, causing the jet to crash and burst into a fireball.
The National Transportation Safety Board stated it is probing the aircraft’s upkeep logs, which was in the state for repairs several weeks ahead of the accident.
Aircraft information indicated the aircraft was on the runway in that location from 3 September to last week.
“We are aware that this plane was present in San Antonio,” said an NTSB member on the following day, without providing a precise period. “We will review each aspect of service that was completed, from the Texas period, straight to the day of the trip.”
Findings of Key Items
The cockpit voice recorder and data recorder were found, and the power plant was found on the airfield.
The devices – known as black boxes – were constructed to endure collision damage and severe fire from blazes, and they appeared to be in one piece when discovered among the remains. Authorities plan on reviewing information from the recorders.
The plane’s last recorded information displayed an elevation of 475 feet and a velocity of that speed ahead of the crash.
Service History
Per aviation authority files dated that date, a fissure on a part in the fuel container demanded maintenance.
Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which stated it offers structural repairs for the company’s jet and runs a maintenance center in San Antonio, declined to provide remarks, but stated it would work closely when investigators contacted it.
Operations Resume
In the meantime, the facility services continued that evening with its overnight or night sort process, official Jim Mayer stated. Each of the three landing strips at the airport were also reopened.
The UPS package handling facility in the city is the firm’s biggest. The facility engages more than twenty thousand individuals in the locality, handles numerous flights daily and processes in excess of four hundred thousand packages each hour.
Local Response
A memorial was organized on the evening of recently by the local labor union, which supports employees at the aviation hub, the organization’s largest air cargo hub.
Teamsters Local 89, which supports staff, started the memorial with a quiet tribute at that time, the approximate time of the crash previously.
“This incident was so abrupt, so surprising,” the official told the group of 200. “No one had a chance to bid farewell to any of those who we have mourned.”
