🔗 Share this article

The number of fatalities due to the transport jet which burst into flames and plummeted has now climbed to 13, per latest statements.

Mayor's Remarks

Traveling to the Union’s vigil, I learned of a thirteenth victim that lost their life as a result of the UPS flight 2976 accident,” stated the municipal leader in a social media post. “My heart is with the loved ones, associates and peers of all who were killed in this recent tragedy. We will get through this as one.”

Deceased Confirmed

An announcement from the company listed the pilots operating the aircraft as Captain Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.

“Our thoughts are extended to each employee who has been impacted and everyone in our community region – assisting you and making sure you obtain the attention and assistance you need is our main concern,” the organization’s statement stated.

Probe Details

Government officials disclosed that the jet’s wing burst into flames and an motor fell off soon after takeoff from the Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport, causing the jet to fall and explode into a inferno.

The National Transportation Safety Board announced it is probing the plane’s upkeep logs, which was in Texas for maintenance weeks prior to the accident.

Flight tracking records indicated the plane was on the runway in that location from 3 September to last week.

“We are aware that this aircraft was there in San Antonio,” remarked an NTSB member on Thursday, not giving a exact date range. “We will review each aspect of maintenance that was performed, even the Texas visit, all the way to the day of the trip.”

Findings of Key Components

The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were retrieved, and the motor was located on the airfield.

The recorders – called flight recorders – were built to endure accident forces and intense fire from infernos, and they looked to be intact when found among the remains. Authorities plan on reviewing data from the devices.

Jet’s last flight details displayed an altitude of 475 ft and a rate of 210 miles per hour prior to the accident.

Repair Background

According to FAA files from last month, a crack on a component in the tank area required maintenance.

The company ST Engineering, which stated it offers structural repairs for UPS’s aircraft and operates a repair facility in Texas, refused to provide remarks, but stated it would work closely when relevant authorities approached it.

Services Continue

In the meantime, the facility activities restarted Wednesday night with its overnight or nighttime operation, official Jim Mayer stated. All three tarmacs at the aviation hub were likewise reopened.

The UPS package handling facility in Louisville is the company’s biggest. The facility employs over 20,000 workers in the region, handles numerous aircraft per day and sorts over 400,000 items each hour.

Local Response

A candlelight vigil was organized on the evening of that date by the local labor union, which acts for staff at the airfield, the company’s largest air cargo hub.

Teamsters Local 89, which represents UPS workers, commenced the memorial with a period of reflection at that time, the estimated hour of the crash previously.

“This tragedy was so unexpected, so unforeseen,” the leader spoke to the crowd of two hundred. “No one had a moment to say goodbye to each of those who we have said farewell to.”