🔗 Share this article

The total count of victims due to the transport jet which caught fire and went down has now reached 13, according to recent reports.

Mayor's Remarks

Traveling to the Union’s candlelight gathering, I received word of a additional fatality that passed away as a result of the aircraft incident,” wrote the city mayor in a online message. “My thoughts is with the loved ones, friends and co-workers of all who were lost in this recent calamity. We will overcome this collectively.”

Casualties Identified

An announcement from the carrier identified the flight crew aboard the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.

“Our hearts reach out to all UPSer who has been touched and everyone in our Louisville area – helping you and ensuring you get the attention and aid you need is our main concern,” the firm’s statement stated.

Investigation Findings

National authorities revealed that the UPS cargo plane’s left wing ignited and an motor fell off soon after liftoff from the Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport, resulting in the aircraft to crash and erupt into a fireball.

The NTSB has said it is investigating the aircraft’s service record, that was in the state for maintenance several weeks prior to the accident.

Aircraft information showed the plane was on the ground in San Antonio, Texas from 3 September to last week.

“We are aware that this plane was located in the facility,” stated an investigator on Thursday, not giving a specific date range. “We will look at each aspect of maintenance that was performed, from the San Antonio visit, straight to the day of the flight.”

Retrieval of Critical Components

The audio device and flight data recorder were found, and the engine was located on the runway.

The recorders – referred to as black boxes – were designed to withstand crash impacts and intense heat from fires, and they looked to be in one piece when found amid the wreckage. Authorities plan on analyzing data from the black boxes.

Jet’s final flight details displayed an height of that level and a speed of 210 miles per hour before the crash.

Repair History

Per aviation authority records from 18 September, a fracture on a structural piece in the center wing fuel tank demanded repairs.

The company ST Engineering, which stated it provides aircraft servicing for the carrier’s MD-11 and manages a repair facility in that city, refused to comment, but said it would cooperate fully when investigators approached it.

Activities Continue

At the same time, the hub operations continued that evening with its Next Day Air or night sort operation, official a representative stated. The three landing strips at Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport were likewise reopened.

The UPS package handling facility in Louisville is the firm’s largest. The facility engages more than 20,000 individuals in the area, handles numerous flights each day and processes more than a huge volume of packages an hour.

Local Support

A memorial was organized on the night of recently by the local Teamsters Union, which acts for workers at the Louisville airport, the firm’s biggest air cargo hub.

Worker representatives, which stands for UPS workers, commenced the gathering with a period of reflection at the evening hour, the estimated time of the crash before.

“This tragedy was so sudden, so surprising,” the official told the assembly of attendees. “No one had a opportunity to bid farewell to any of those who we have said farewell to.”