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The number of lives lost resulting from the UPS cargo plane that burst into flames and crashed has now climbed to 13, according to recent announcements.

City Leader's Statement

Traveling to the Union’s candlelight gathering, I was informed of a 13th person that died as a result of the aircraft crash,” wrote the local official in a online message. “My thoughts is with the families, friends and colleagues of all who were killed in this recently occurred calamity. We will endure this together.”

Victims Confirmed

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

“Our thoughts are extended to each employee who has been touched and everyone in our community area – assisting you and ensuring you receive the care and resources you need is our main concern,” the firm’s message read.

Investigation Details

Government authorities announced that the jet’s port side wing burst into flames and an engine separated shortly after takeoff from the Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport, causing the jet to plummet and burst into a fireball.

The National Transportation Safety Board has said it is investigating the aircraft’s maintenance history, which was in Texas for maintenance a period prior to the incident.

Aviation data indicated the aircraft was on the tarmac in San Antonio, Texas from early September to mid-October.

“We are cognizant that this aircraft was present in that city,” stated an official on the following day, without providing a specific period. “We will look at all elements of maintenance that was done, from the San Antonio visit, right up to the time of the journey.”

Recovery of Vital Components

The cockpit voice recorder and data recorder were found, and the engine was located on the airfield.

The recorders – referred to as data containers – were designed to withstand collision damage and severe heat from infernos, and they appeared to be intact when discovered among the remains. Officials intend to examining recordings from the recorders.

The plane’s last data recordings showed an height of 475 feet and a speed of 210 mph before the impact.

Service Background

According to Federal Aviation Administration records from that date, a fracture on a structural piece inside the fuel container required fixes.

Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which indicated it offers structural repairs for UPS’s MD-11 and operates a service location in San Antonio, refused to comment, but said it would work closely when investigators approached it.

Operations Resume

In the meantime, UPS Worldport services resumed Wednesday night with its overnight or nighttime procedure, official Jim Mayer confirmed. The three runways at the aviation hub were likewise back in operation.

The sorting center in this location is the organization’s largest. The center employs more than 20,000 workers in the area, handles numerous trips each day and sorts over 400,000 packages each hour.

Public Response

A gathering was held on the evening of that date by the regional Teamsters Union, which represents employees at the aviation hub, the company’s primary air cargo hub.

Worker representatives, which stands for employees, started the memorial with a period of reflection at that time, the estimated hour of the incident before.

“This event was so unexpected, so surprising,” the mayor addressed the crowd of attendees. “No one had a chance to say goodbye to any of those who we have lost.”