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The number of fatalities from the UPS cargo plane which caught fire and crashed has now reached 13, per latest announcements.

Mayor's Announcement

“On my way to the Union’s memorial service, I received word of a thirteenth victim that died as a result of the aircraft accident,” wrote the local official in a social media post. “My thoughts are with the loved ones, friends and peers of all who were killed in this recent disaster. We will overcome this together.”

Victims Named

An announcement from the company listed the flight crew on board the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.

“Our hearts go out to all employee who has been impacted and everyone in our local area – helping you and ensuring you get the care and aid you need is our focus,” the company’s statement read.

Inquiry Details

National officials disclosed that the freight aircraft’s left wing ignited and an motor separated soon after liftoff from the Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport, leading to the jet to fall and burst into a inferno.

The safety agency stated it is investigating the jet’s upkeep logs, that was in the state for fixes weeks ahead of the crash.

Aviation information revealed the aircraft was on the runway in San Antonio, Texas from 3 September to mid-October.

“We are cognizant that this jet was present in that city,” stated an investigator on Thursday, without providing a exact period. “We will look at all elements of repairs that was performed, from the San Antonio time, right up to the day of the flight.”

Recovery of Key Components

The audio device and information unit were retrieved, and the motor was found on the tarmac.

The devices – referred to as black boxes – were constructed to survive collision damage and intense heat from blazes, and they looked to be in one piece when found amid the remains. Officials will analyzing recordings from the recorders.

The plane’s final data recordings indicated an height of that level and a velocity of that speed before the impact.

Repair History

According to Federal Aviation Administration files dated that date, a fracture on a part within the fuel container required fixes.

The company ST Engineering, which indicated it supplies aircraft servicing for the carrier’s aircraft and manages a service location in that city, refused to provide remarks, but expressed it would work closely when investigators contacted it.

Services Resume

Meanwhile, the facility activities continued that evening with its Next Day Air or nighttime process, representative the company official said. Each of the three tarmacs at Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport were also back in operation.

The sorting center in the city is the firm’s most significant. The hub engages over a large number of individuals in the locality, handles three hundred aircraft daily and processes over 400,000 items each hour.

Public Reaction

A candlelight vigil was organized on the late afternoon of that date by the area worker’s group, which acts for workers at the airfield, the firm’s largest freight center.

The union chapter, which supports staff, began the gathering with a moment of silence at 5.14pm, the rough hour of the accident previously.

“This tragedy was so unexpected, so surprising,” the official spoke to the group of two hundred. “No one had a chance to part to each of those who we have lost.”