🔗 Share this article Heartbreaking Update on UPS Crash: Fatalities Climbs to 13 The number of fatalities due to the UPS cargo plane which caught fire and plummeted has reached 13, per latest announcements. City Leader's Statement “On my way to the Teamsters’ vigil, I received word of a additional fatality that lost their life as a consequence of the plane accident,” wrote the municipal leader in a online message. “My prayers is with the loved ones, companions and co-workers of all who were killed in this week’s disaster. We will get through this together.” Casualties Named A statement from UPS listed the pilots operating the aircraft as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond. “Our hearts reach out to all employee who has been impacted and everyone in our local area – assisting you and ensuring you receive the attention and aid you need is our focus,” the company’s statement expressed. Inquiry Findings Federal authorities revealed that the freight aircraft’s left wing ignited and an engine fell off shortly after departure from the aviation hub, leading to the aircraft to fall and explode into a blaze. The safety agency announced it is examining the jet’s service record, which was in the state for repairs a period ahead of the crash. Flight tracking data showed the jet was on the runway in San Antonio, Texas from early September to mid-October. “We are cognizant that this jet was present in that city,” remarked an NTSB member on later, not giving a precise date range. “We will look at each aspect of repairs that was performed, including the Texas time, right up to the day of the trip.” Findings of Critical Components The cockpit voice recorder and data recorder were found, and the power plant was located on the runway. The units – known as flight recorders – were built to withstand accident forces and extreme heat from infernos, and they seemed to be intact when discovered amid the remains. Investigators intend to reviewing recordings from the recorders. Aircraft’s final flight details showed an altitude of 475 ft and a velocity of 210 miles per hour before the impact. Repair Record Per aviation authority documents from last month, a fissure on a part in the tank area demanded maintenance. Singapore-based ST Engineering, which said it supplies aircraft servicing for the company’s MD-11 and operates a maintenance center in San Antonio, chose not to speak, but expressed it would cooperate fully when relevant authorities reached out it. Activities Restart At the same time, UPS Worldport activities continued that evening with its Next Day Air or nighttime operation, representative a representative confirmed. Each of the three tarmacs at Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport were also open again. The sorting center in Louisville is the firm’s biggest. The facility engages more than 20,000 people in the area, manages 300 flights each day and organizes over 400,000 items each hour. Community Response A gathering was held on the night of that date by the local worker’s group, which represents staff at the Louisville airport, the firm’s primary air cargo hub. Worker representatives, which stands for employees, commenced the vigil with a moment of silence at that time, the estimated time of the accident before. “This incident was so unexpected, so surprising,” the mayor told the assembly of 200. “No one had a chance to say goodbye to each of those who we have lost.”