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The number of victims resulting from the UPS cargo plane that caught fire and plummeted has risen to 13, as confirmed by latest statements.

Mayor's Statement

While en route to the Union’s candlelight gathering, I learned of a 13th person that lost their life as a outcome of the aircraft crash,” expressed the local official in a online message. “My heart are with the relatives, associates and peers of all who were taken in this week’s disaster. We will overcome this together.”

Victims Named

A release from UPS identified the flight crew aboard the jet as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.

“Our sympathies go out to each employee who has been impacted and all in our Louisville community – supporting you and making sure you receive the support and resources you need is our focus,” the firm’s message expressed.

Probe Updates

Federal investigators disclosed that the UPS cargo plane’s port side wing caught fire and an power plant fell off just after liftoff from the airfield, causing the plane to crash and explode into a fireball.

The National Transportation Safety Board has said it is examining the plane’s maintenance history, which was in the state for repairs several weeks before the incident.

Aircraft information indicated the aircraft was on the ground in the Texas city from the start of last month to mid-October.

“We are cognizant that this aircraft was present in San Antonio,” said an investigator on Thursday, not giving a specific period. “We will review each aspect of repairs that was completed, even the repair time, straight to the date of the flight.”

Recovery of Key Items

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

The devices – known as black boxes – were built to withstand crash impacts and severe fire from infernos, and they looked to be intact when discovered amid the wreckage. Investigators will reviewing data from the devices.

The plane’s concluding recorded information displayed an altitude of that level and a velocity of 210 miles per hour before the impact.

Repair Background

Per aviation authority records dated last month, a fissure on a component inside the fuel container required maintenance.

The company ST Engineering, which indicated it offers structural repairs for the carrier’s MD-11 and operates a repair facility in San Antonio, refused to speak, but said it would assist completely when investigators approached it.

Services Resume

In the meantime, UPS Worldport operations continued last night with its overnight also known as night sort procedure, spokesperson Jim Mayer stated. Each of the three landing strips at the aviation hub were also back in operation.

The distribution hub in Louisville is the company’s largest. The facility hires in excess of 20,000 people in the area, handles numerous trips per day and processes in excess of four hundred thousand packages per hour.

Public Support

A memorial was organized on the night of recently by the regional labor union, which acts for staff at the Louisville airport, the firm’s biggest air cargo hub.

Worker representatives, which stands for UPS workers, began the vigil with a quiet tribute at that time, the estimated moment of the crash previously.

“This tragedy was so sudden, so unforeseen,” the leader told the group of attendees. “No one had a opportunity to part to each of those who we have lost.”