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The total count of victims due to the transport jet that caught fire and plummeted has now risen to 13, according to latest statements.

Mayor's Announcement

“On my way to the Union’s memorial service, I was informed of a 13th person that died as a result of the UPS flight 2976 crash,” wrote the city mayor in a social media post. “My heart is with the families, friends and co-workers of all who were lost in this recently occurred calamity. We will endure this together.”

Deceased Confirmed

An announcement from the carrier listed the pilots on board the aircraft as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.

“Our sympathies are extended to each UPSer who has been touched and all in our community region – helping you and ensuring you receive the support and aid you need is our main concern,” the organization’s message expressed.

Investigation Findings

Federal investigators disclosed that the freight aircraft’s port side wing ignited and an motor fell off shortly after takeoff from the Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport, leading to the plane to fall and erupt into a blaze.

The safety agency stated it is probing the jet’s maintenance history, that was in the state for fixes weeks prior to the crash.

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

“We are cognizant that this aircraft was present in the facility,” said an official on later, not giving a precise period. “We will look at all elements of repairs that was performed, from the repair period, all the way to the time of the journey.”

Retrieval of Critical Evidence

The audio device and information unit were found, and the engine was found on the airfield.

The devices – called black boxes – were built to endure collision damage and extreme fire from infernos, and they seemed to be intact when found within the remains. Authorities intend to analyzing data from the black boxes.

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

Service History

Per Federal Aviation Administration files dated that date, a fissure on a component in the tank area demanded repairs.

Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which stated it supplies aircraft servicing for the carrier’s aircraft and operates a service location in Texas, declined to comment, but stated it would work closely when officials approached it.

Services Restart

In the meantime, UPS Worldport operations resumed last night with its overnight or night sort operation, spokesperson Jim Mayer confirmed. Each of the three landing strips at the aviation hub were also reopened.

The sorting center in the city is the company’s largest. The hub hires in excess of twenty thousand workers in the locality, handles 300 trips daily and processes more than four hundred thousand items per hour.

Public Support

A candlelight vigil was conducted on the night of recently by the area worker’s group, which acts for staff at the aviation hub, the firm’s largest shipping facility.

Teamsters Local 89, which supports employees, commenced the gathering with a moment of silence at the evening hour, the rough time of the accident before.

“This incident was so sudden, so surprising,” the leader addressed the group of 200. “No one had a chance to bid farewell to any one of those who we have lost.”