The total count of victims resulting from the transport jet which caught fire and went down has reached 13, according to official announcements.
Mayor's Announcement
Traveling to the Workers’ memorial service, I learned of a additional fatality that died as a result of the aircraft accident,” stated the city mayor in a social media post. “My heart is with the loved ones, associates and colleagues of all who were killed in this recently occurred tragedy. We will overcome this collectively.”
Victims Named
A release from the company listed the flight crew on board the jet as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
“Our thoughts go out to each UPSer who has been affected and everyone in our community region – helping you and ensuring you get the care and assistance you need is our main concern,” the company’s communication stated.
Inquiry Updates
Federal officials revealed that the UPS cargo plane’s wing caught fire and an engine detached soon after takeoff from the airfield, causing the jet to crash and erupt into a inferno.
The NTSB announced it is probing the aircraft’s service record, that was in Texas for repairs several weeks prior to the incident.
Aircraft records revealed the aircraft was on the tarmac in the Texas city from early September to last week.
“We are cognizant that this jet was located in the facility,” said an investigator on Thursday, without a precise time frame. “We will review all elements of service that was performed, from the Texas time, straight to the time of the trip.”
Recovery of Vital Items
The audio device and flight data recorder were retrieved, and the engine was found on the airfield.
The units – known as black boxes – were designed to survive crash impacts and intense fire from blazes, and they appeared to be intact when found amid the remains. Officials will reviewing recordings from the recorders.
The plane’s final flight details indicated an elevation of that level and a rate of 210 mph before the impact.
Service Record
Per FAA records from that date, a fracture on a structural piece inside the center wing fuel tank needed maintenance.
Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which stated it offers aircraft servicing for the carrier’s aircraft and manages a service location in that city, declined to provide remarks, but expressed it would work closely when investigators contacted it.
Operations Continue
At the same time, UPS Worldport operations continued that evening with its express or nighttime process, representative Jim Mayer said. All three runways at the airport were likewise reopened.
The UPS package handling facility in Louisville is the organization’s largest. The center hires more than twenty thousand workers in the area, processes numerous flights daily and organizes in excess of 400,000 items an hour.
Local Reaction
A memorial was held on the evening of that date by the regional Teamsters Union, which supports staff at the Louisville airport, the company’s biggest shipping facility.
Worker representatives, which stands for staff, began the memorial with a quiet tribute at that time, the approximate hour of the crash before.
“This tragedy was so abrupt, so unexpected,” the leader spoke to the group of 200. “No one had a chance to bid farewell to any of those who we have lost.”
