The number of victims due to the transport jet which ignited and plummeted has now risen to 13, as confirmed by recent reports.
City Leader's Statement
While en route to the Workers’ memorial service, I received word of a thirteenth victim that died as a result of the plane incident,” expressed the city mayor in a social media post. “My thoughts is with the relatives, companions and peers of all who were lost in this recent tragedy. We will overcome this together.”
Deceased Identified
A statement from the company identified the flight crew aboard the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts are extended to each employee who has been touched and all in our community community – helping you and making sure you receive the care and assistance you need is our focus,” the company’s message expressed.
Inquiry Details
Federal investigators disclosed that the jet’s port side wing caught fire and an power plant fell off just after departure from the aviation hub, leading to the aircraft to plummet and explode into a blaze.
The National Transportation Safety Board has said it is probing the plane’s maintenance history, that was in the state for repairs a period ahead of the accident.
Flight tracking data showed the jet was on the ground in the Texas city from early September to last week.
“We are knowledgeable that this aircraft was present in San Antonio,” remarked an NTSB member on the following day, without a specific time frame. “We will review all elements of repairs that was completed, from the Texas time, right up to the day of the trip.”
Retrieval of Vital Evidence
The pilot’s recorder and flight data recorder were found, and the engine was discovered on the tarmac.
The recorders – called data containers – were designed to endure collision damage and intense heat from infernos, and they appeared to be intact when found within the remains. Investigators intend to examining data from the black boxes.
Jet’s final recorded information displayed an height of 475 ft and a velocity of 210 miles per hour prior to the impact.
Maintenance History
Based on FAA documents from that date, a crack on a part inside the center wing fuel tank needed repairs.
Singapore-based ST Engineering, which stated it offers structural repairs for the company’s jet and runs a repair facility in Texas, refused to provide remarks, but said it would work closely when officials approached it.
Services Restart
In the meantime, UPS Worldport activities continued that evening with its express or nighttime procedure, spokesperson a representative confirmed. The three landing strips at the aviation hub were additionally reopened.
The sorting center in the city is the company’s biggest. The hub engages over 20,000 people in the locality, processes numerous aircraft daily and organizes more than 400,000 parcels per hour.
Local Reaction
A memorial was held on the night of that date by the local worker’s group, which represents staff at the aviation hub, the firm’s largest shipping facility.
The union chapter, which represents UPS workers, began the vigil with a moment of silence at 5.14pm, the rough moment of the incident previously.
“This incident was so sudden, so surprising,” the mayor spoke to the group of attendees. “No one had a chance to bid farewell to each of those who we have said farewell to.”
