🔗 Share this article

The tally of fatalities resulting from the UPS cargo plane that caught fire and plummeted has now climbed to 13, per latest announcements.

Mayor's Remarks

While en route to the Workers’ memorial service, I learned of a thirteenth victim that lost their life as a outcome of the UPS flight 2976 incident,” wrote the municipal leader in a social media post. “My prayers are with the loved ones, friends and co-workers of all who were lost in this recently occurred calamity. We will overcome this as one.”

Casualties Named

An announcement from UPS listed the pilots on board the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.

“Our thoughts are extended to every staff member who has been touched and everyone in our community region – supporting you and guaranteeing you get the care and assistance you need is our focus,” the company’s communication stated.

Inquiry Details

National investigators revealed that the freight aircraft’s port side wing burst into flames and an motor separated soon after liftoff from the aviation hub, leading to the aircraft to plummet and erupt into a blaze.

The National Transportation Safety Board stated it is investigating the aircraft’s upkeep logs, that was in Texas for repairs a period prior to the incident.

Aviation information indicated the plane was on the ground in that location from 3 September to last week.

“We are aware that this aircraft was present in the facility,” remarked an investigator on the following day, not giving a precise time frame. “We will examine every piece of maintenance that was completed, from the repair time, all the way to the time of the flight.”

Retrieval of Vital Evidence

The audio device and flight data recorder were recovered, and the power plant was discovered on the runway.

The units – referred to as data containers – were designed to withstand accident forces and intense temperatures from infernos, and they looked to be intact when discovered within the wreckage. Authorities will examining data from the recorders.

Jet’s last recorded information displayed an elevation of 475 feet and a velocity of that speed prior to the accident.

Repair Background

According to FAA files dated 18 September, a fissure on a structural piece in the center wing fuel tank demanded repairs.

The company ST Engineering, which indicated it offers aircraft servicing for the company’s aircraft and runs a service location in that city, chose not to provide remarks, but said it would cooperate fully when officials contacted it.

Services Resume

At the same time, the facility services restarted last night with its overnight or nighttime process, representative the company official confirmed. Each of the three landing strips at the airport were additionally open again.

The sorting center in the city is the company’s most significant. The facility hires over 20,000 people in the area, processes numerous aircraft each day and organizes over four hundred thousand parcels an hour.

Local Response

A candlelight vigil was held on the late afternoon of that date by the local Teamsters Union, which acts for workers at the Louisville airport, the company’s largest air cargo hub.

Worker representatives, which stands for employees, started the memorial with a moment of silence at the evening hour, the approximate moment of the crash previously.

“This tragedy was so sudden, so unforeseen,” the mayor addressed the crowd of 200. “No one had a chance to say goodbye to any one of those who we have mourned.”