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The number of victims from the transport jet which burst into flames and crashed has now reached 13, per latest announcements.

City Leader's Statement

Traveling to the Union’s vigil, I received word of a thirteenth victim that lost their life as a outcome of the UPS flight 2976 incident,” wrote the city mayor in a social media post. “My prayers are with the loved ones, friends and peers of all who were killed in this week’s tragedy. We will get through this collectively.”

Casualties Confirmed

A statement from the company listed the officers aboard the aircraft as Captain Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.

“Our sympathies go out to each UPSer who has been impacted and all in our Louisville area – assisting you and making sure you receive the care and assistance you need is our main concern,” the organization’s statement read.

Investigation Updates

Federal investigators disclosed that the UPS cargo plane’s port side wing ignited and an motor fell off soon after departure from the aviation hub, resulting in the jet to crash and burst into a inferno.

The NTSB announced it is probing the plane’s maintenance history, that was in the state for maintenance a period prior to the crash.

Aviation information indicated the aircraft was on the ground in that location from 3 September to last week.

“We are aware that this plane was present in that city,” remarked an investigator on Thursday, without providing a specific time frame. “We will review all elements of service that was done, including the repair visit, right up to the day of the journey.”

Retrieval of Critical Evidence

The audio device and information unit were recovered, and the motor was found on the runway.

The devices – known as data containers – were built to survive collision damage and extreme heat from blazes, and they appeared to be in one piece when located amid the wreckage. Authorities intend to examining data from the black boxes.

Aircraft’s last recorded information displayed an height of 475 ft and a velocity of 210 miles per hour prior to the crash.

Maintenance Record

Per Federal Aviation Administration files from 18 September, a crack on a part in the center wing fuel tank needed repairs.

Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which said it supplies airframe maintenance for the carrier’s MD-11 and operates a service location in San Antonio, chose not to comment, but expressed it would work closely when relevant authorities reached out it.

Services Resume

Meanwhile, the hub activities restarted Wednesday night with its overnight or nighttime operation, official Jim Mayer stated. The three landing strips at the aviation hub were also back in operation.

The UPS package handling facility in the city is the firm’s largest. The center employs more than twenty thousand people in the area, handles numerous flights per day and sorts over 400,000 packages each hour.

Local Support

A gathering was organized on the night of that date by the area labor union, which supports staff at the aviation hub, the organization’s biggest air cargo hub.

The union chapter, which supports staff, began the memorial with a period of reflection at that time, the approximate hour of the crash before.

“This tragedy was so abrupt, so surprising,” the mayor told the group of 200. “No one had a chance to say goodbye to any one of those who we have mourned.”