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The tally of victims due to the transport jet that caught fire and crashed has climbed to 13, as confirmed by official announcements.

Mayor's Statement

“On my way to the Workers’ candlelight gathering, I learned of a thirteenth victim that lost their life as a outcome of the plane accident,” wrote the city mayor in a online message. “My heart are with the families, associates and colleagues of all who were killed in this week’s calamity. We will endure this as one.”

Victims Identified

An announcement from the carrier identified the officers on board the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.

“Our hearts are extended to each UPSer who has been impacted and everyone in our local community – assisting you and ensuring you obtain the support and resources you need is our priority,” the company’s statement expressed.

Investigation Details

Government investigators announced that the UPS cargo plane’s port side wing ignited and an power plant fell off soon after departure from the aviation hub, causing the jet to crash and burst into a blaze.

The safety agency stated it is investigating the jet’s maintenance history, which was in Texas for fixes weeks before the crash.

Aviation information showed the plane was on the ground in the Texas city from 3 September to last week.

“We are aware that this jet was present in San Antonio,” remarked an NTSB member on the following day, without a precise date range. “We will look at each aspect of repairs that was performed, including the repair visit, all the way to the time of the flight.”

Findings of Vital Evidence

The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were found, and the motor was found on the tarmac.

The devices – known as black boxes – were designed to withstand crash impacts and severe heat from blazes, and they appeared to be intact when located within the wreckage. Investigators will analyzing recordings from the black boxes.

Jet’s last data recordings indicated an height of 475 feet and a rate of 210 miles per hour prior to the crash.

Service History

According to aviation authority documents dated 18 September, a fracture on a structural piece in the tank area required maintenance.

Singapore-based ST Engineering, which said it supplies structural repairs for UPS’s MD-11 and operates a maintenance center in that city, declined to provide remarks, but expressed it would assist completely when officials reached out it.

Services Restart

In the meantime, UPS Worldport activities restarted last night with its overnight or nighttime procedure, official a representative stated. All three landing strips at the airport were additionally back in operation.

The distribution hub in the city is the company’s largest. The center engages over a large number of people in the region, handles three hundred flights daily and organizes in excess of four hundred thousand packages per hour.

Public Response

A gathering was conducted on the night of 6 November by the area labor union, which acts for workers at the airfield, the firm’s largest shipping facility.

Teamsters Local 89, which supports UPS workers, commenced the vigil with a moment of silence at the evening hour, the approximate moment of the crash previously.

“This event was so abrupt, so unexpected,” the leader told the group of two hundred. “No one had a opportunity to bid farewell to each of those who we have lost.”