The number of victims resulting from the UPS cargo plane which caught fire and crashed has now risen to 13, per recent statements.
Mayor's Statement
Traveling to the Union’s memorial service, I was informed of a additional fatality that died as a result of the UPS flight 2976 crash,” wrote the municipal leader in a public communication. “My prayers are with the families, associates and peers of all who were lost in this week’s tragedy. We will get through this collectively.”
Victims Confirmed
A statement from the company listed the pilots operating the aircraft as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts reach out to each employee who has been touched and all in our Louisville community – assisting you and guaranteeing you obtain the care and resources you need is our priority,” the organization’s communication stated.
Investigation Details
Federal investigators revealed that the freight aircraft’s port side wing burst into flames and an motor separated soon after departure from the airfield, resulting in the plane to plummet and burst into a inferno.
The National Transportation Safety Board stated it is investigating the plane’s service record, that was in the state for maintenance several weeks before the incident.
Flight tracking records revealed the plane was on the ground in that location from 3 September to 18 October.
“We are cognizant that this jet was located in that city,” stated an official on Thursday, not giving a precise date range. “We will examine all elements of service that was completed, even the Texas time, right up to the day of the flight.”
Retrieval of Vital Components
The audio device and data recorder were retrieved, and the engine was discovered on the tarmac.
The units – referred to as black boxes – were designed to survive collision damage and intense fire from blazes, and they seemed to be in one piece when located among the wreckage. Officials plan on examining recordings from the recorders.
The plane’s concluding data recordings showed an altitude of 475 ft and a speed of 210 mph before the accident.
Repair History
Per FAA records from that date, a fissure on a component in the center wing fuel tank demanded fixes.
Singapore-based ST Engineering, which said it supplies structural repairs for the company’s MD-11 and operates a repair facility in San Antonio, refused to comment, but said it would work closely when officials approached it.
Activities Restart
At the same time, UPS Worldport activities resumed last night with its Next Day Air or nighttime operation, representative the company official said. The three landing strips at Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport were also back in operation.
The UPS package handling facility in this location is the organization’s biggest. The facility hires over 20,000 people in the region, handles 300 aircraft per day and sorts over a huge volume of parcels an hour.
Community Response
A candlelight vigil was conducted on the late afternoon of 6 November by the area worker’s group, which represents workers at the airfield, the company’s largest shipping facility.
Teamsters Local 89, which stands for staff, began the gathering with a quiet tribute at the evening hour, the approximate moment of the crash previously.
“This incident was so unexpected, so surprising,” the official spoke to the group of two hundred. “No one had a opportunity to part to any of those who we have lost.”
