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The total count of victims resulting from the freight aircraft that caught fire and plummeted has reached 13, per recent reports.

Official's Announcement

Traveling to the Union’s memorial service, I received word of a additional fatality that lost their life as a outcome of the UPS flight 2976 incident,” wrote the local official in a public communication. “My heart is with the loved ones, friends and co-workers of all who were lost in this week’s tragedy. We will get through this as one.”

Victims Named

A statement from UPS listed the officers operating the aircraft as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.

“Our thoughts are extended to each UPSer who has been touched and everyone in our Louisville area – helping you and making sure you obtain the attention and resources you need is our priority,” the organization’s communication read.

Inquiry Updates

Government investigators revealed that the UPS cargo plane’s left wing burst into flames and an motor detached just after liftoff from the airfield, causing the aircraft to plummet and explode into a inferno.

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

Aviation information showed the aircraft was on the tarmac in San Antonio, Texas from 3 September to mid-October.

“We are knowledgeable that this jet was there in San Antonio,” said an NTSB member on later, without providing a exact date range. “We will examine each aspect of repairs that was performed, even the repair time, all the way to the date of the flight.”

Recovery of Critical Items

The audio device and data recorder were found, and the motor was located on the tarmac.

The recorders – known as data containers – were built to withstand accident forces and intense fire from fires, and they appeared to be undamaged when discovered among the remains. Authorities will analyzing recordings from the black boxes.

Jet’s last recorded information indicated an elevation of 475 ft and a rate of that speed prior to the impact.

Repair Background

Per Federal Aviation Administration records from 18 September, a crack on a part in the tank area required fixes.

Singapore-based ST Engineering, which said it provides structural repairs for the carrier’s MD-11 and runs a service location in that city, refused to speak, but stated it would work closely when investigators contacted it.

Services Continue

In the meantime, UPS Worldport activities restarted last night with its express or nighttime operation, spokesperson Jim Mayer said. All three runways at the airport were additionally back in operation.

The UPS package handling facility in the city is the organization’s most significant. The facility employs more than a large number of people in the area, manages 300 flights daily and processes over 400,000 parcels an hour.

Community Reaction

A memorial was organized on the night of 6 November by the local worker’s group, which represents staff at the Louisville airport, the firm’s biggest air cargo hub.

Teamsters Local 89, which represents staff, started the vigil with a moment of silence at 5.14pm, the estimated moment of the accident before.

“This incident was so sudden, so unforeseen,” the mayor addressed the assembly of two hundred. “No one had a opportunity to say goodbye to any of those who we have lost.”