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The number of fatalities from the UPS cargo plane which ignited and crashed has now climbed to 13, according to recent statements.

City Leader's Statement

Traveling to the Union’s candlelight gathering, I learned of a additional fatality that died as a result of the plane accident,” wrote the city mayor in a online message. “My thoughts are with the relatives, friends and colleagues of all who were lost in this week’s disaster. We will endure this as one.”

Casualties Identified

An announcement from the carrier listed the flight crew aboard the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.

“Our sympathies go out to each staff member who has been affected and everyone in our local community – helping you and guaranteeing you get the attention and resources you need is our focus,” the company’s message read.

Probe Findings

Federal authorities announced that the freight aircraft’s wing burst into flames and an engine fell off just after liftoff from the Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport, leading to the jet to plummet and erupt into a fireball.

The NTSB announced it is probing the aircraft’s maintenance history, that was in Texas for repairs a period prior to the accident.

Aircraft records indicated the plane was on the tarmac in the Texas city from 3 September to last week.

“We are knowledgeable that this jet was present in that city,” stated an investigator on Thursday, without providing a specific time frame. “We will review every piece of maintenance that was performed, including the Texas period, right up to the time of the trip.”

Retrieval of Critical Components

The pilot’s recorder and flight data recorder were found, and the engine was found on the runway.

The units – referred to as black boxes – were built to survive collision damage and extreme temperatures from fires, and they seemed to be in one piece when found among the wreckage. Investigators will examining information from the devices.

The plane’s final data recordings showed an elevation of 475 ft and a velocity of 210 miles per hour before the impact.

Repair History

Per FAA records from that date, a fissure on a component within the fuel container required repairs.

Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which indicated it supplies structural repairs for the carrier’s jet and operates a repair facility in Texas, chose not to speak, but said it would cooperate fully when officials reached out it.

Activities Continue

At the same time, the facility services continued last night with its overnight or evening operation, representative the company official confirmed. The three landing strips at Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport were also reopened.

The UPS package handling facility in Louisville is the organization’s most significant. The center engages in excess of 20,000 individuals in the area, handles three hundred aircraft each day and organizes more than four hundred thousand packages an hour.

Public Response

A memorial was organized on the evening of 6 November by the area labor union, which represents employees at the aviation hub, the company’s primary air cargo hub.

Worker representatives, which supports staff, commenced the vigil with a quiet tribute at that time, the approximate moment of the incident two days earlier.

“This event was so unexpected, so unexpected,” the leader told the crowd of two hundred. “No one had a moment to say goodbye to any one of those who we have lost.”