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The number of lives lost resulting from the freight aircraft that caught fire and plummeted has now reached 13, as confirmed by official announcements.

Mayor's Statement

“On my way to the Teamsters’ memorial service, I received word of a additional fatality that lost their life as a outcome of the UPS flight 2976 incident,” expressed the city mayor in a online message. “My prayers are with the relatives, associates and peers of all who were taken in this week’s tragedy. We will get through this together.”

Casualties Named

A statement from the carrier identified the flight crew operating the jet as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.

“Our sympathies are extended to every staff member who has been touched and everyone in our local region – helping you and guaranteeing you obtain the support and assistance you need is our focus,” the organization’s communication expressed.

Inquiry Updates

Government investigators revealed that the UPS cargo plane’s wing burst into flames and an engine separated just after departure from the airfield, resulting in the aircraft to plummet and explode into a blaze.

The safety agency stated it is investigating the plane’s maintenance history, which was in the state for fixes weeks prior to the accident.

Aircraft records revealed the jet was on the tarmac in San Antonio, Texas from early September to last week.

“We are aware that this plane was there in the facility,” stated an official on Thursday, without providing a exact time frame. “We will look at all elements of repairs that was completed, even the Texas visit, straight to the time of the journey.”

Recovery of Key Evidence

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

The units – called flight recorders – were designed to survive collision damage and intense temperatures from blazes, and they looked to be undamaged when located among the crash debris. Authorities plan on analyzing information from the devices.

The plane’s final data recordings indicated an altitude of 475 feet and a speed of that speed before the crash.

Maintenance Record

According to aviation authority documents dated that date, a fissure on a component inside the fuel container needed maintenance.

Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which stated it supplies aircraft servicing for UPS’s MD-11 and manages a repair facility in Texas, refused to provide remarks, but stated it would work closely when relevant authorities contacted it.

Activities Restart

Meanwhile, UPS Worldport services continued last night with its express or night sort process, representative Jim Mayer confirmed. Each of the three landing strips at the airport were also reopened.

The sorting center in this location is the organization’s largest. The hub employs in excess of 20,000 individuals in the region, manages three hundred aircraft each day and processes more than four hundred thousand items per hour.

Community Support

A memorial was held on the evening of 6 November by the area labor union, which acts for employees at the airfield, the company’s biggest shipping facility.

Teamsters Local 89, which stands for staff, started the gathering with a period of reflection at the evening hour, the rough time of the accident before.

“This tragedy was so sudden, so unforeseen,” the official spoke to the assembly of 200. “No one had a chance to part to each of those who we have mourned.”