The total count of victims resulting from the freight aircraft that ignited and went down has now climbed to 13, per recent reports.
City Leader's Remarks
While en route to the Teamsters’ candlelight gathering, I was informed of a additional fatality that passed away as a result of the plane crash,” expressed the city mayor in a public communication. “My thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of all who were taken in this recent tragedy. We will overcome this together.”
Deceased Confirmed
An announcement from UPS named the flight crew aboard the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our hearts reach out to all UPSer who has been affected and everyone in our community region – supporting you and ensuring you obtain the attention and aid you need is our priority,” the company’s statement expressed.
Investigation Updates
National investigators announced that the freight aircraft’s port side wing caught fire and an power plant fell off soon after liftoff from the aviation hub, causing the aircraft to plummet and burst into a inferno.
The safety agency stated it is investigating the jet’s service record, that was in the state for fixes weeks before the crash.
Flight tracking records revealed the plane was on the runway in that location from the start of last month to mid-October.
“We are aware that this plane was there in San Antonio,” stated an official on the following day, without providing a precise date range. “We will look at every piece of service that was done, from the San Antonio time, all the way to the time of the flight.”
Findings of Vital Items
The cockpit voice recorder and information unit were found, and the engine was located on the airfield.
The recorders – referred to as data containers – were constructed to endure accident forces and intense fire from fires, and they seemed to be intact when found among the crash debris. Authorities plan on analyzing data from the devices.
Aircraft’s final flight details displayed an elevation of 475 ft and a velocity of 210 miles per hour ahead of the accident.
Repair History
According to FAA records dated last month, a crack on a component inside the tank area demanded maintenance.
Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which stated it provides airframe maintenance for the carrier’s jet and operates a maintenance center in San Antonio, refused to speak, but expressed it would assist completely when officials approached it.
Activities Continue
Meanwhile, the facility services resumed last night with its express also known as evening process, spokesperson the company official confirmed. Each of the three tarmacs at the airport were also back in operation.
The distribution hub in this location is the firm’s largest. The center engages over twenty thousand workers in the area, handles numerous flights per day and processes more than 400,000 packages an hour.
Community Reaction
A memorial was organized on the late afternoon of 6 November by the area labor union, which represents workers at the aviation hub, the organization’s primary freight center.
The union chapter, which stands for UPS workers, commenced the memorial with a period of reflection at 5.14pm, the approximate hour of the accident before.
“This incident was so unexpected, so surprising,” the mayor told the crowd of attendees. “No one had a chance to part to any one of those who we have said farewell to.”
