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The total count of victims resulting from the UPS cargo plane that caught fire and went down has reached 13, according to official reports.

Official's Remarks

Traveling to the Workers’ memorial service, I received word of a thirteenth victim that died as a result of the aircraft crash,” stated the local official in a online message. “My thoughts are with the relatives, friends and peers of all who were taken in this recent tragedy. We will endure this together.”

Victims Named

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

“Our hearts reach out to all UPSer who has been affected and everyone in our community area – supporting you and making sure you receive the support and assistance you need is our priority,” the company’s message read.

Investigation Findings

National authorities announced that the jet’s wing burst into flames and an motor detached shortly after liftoff from the aviation hub, causing the plane to fall and erupt into a blaze.

The National Transportation Safety Board announced it is probing the jet’s upkeep logs, that was in the state for fixes weeks before the accident.

Aircraft information revealed the jet was on the runway in that location from 3 September to mid-October.

“We are aware that this plane was there in San Antonio,” remarked an NTSB member on Thursday, without a precise date range. “We will review all elements of service that was done, even the San Antonio visit, all the way to the day of the trip.”

Recovery of Vital Evidence

The pilot’s recorder and information unit were retrieved, and the power plant was found on the tarmac.

The units – known as black boxes – were built to withstand collision damage and severe heat from infernos, and they looked to be intact when discovered amid the remains. Officials intend to analyzing information from the recorders.

Aircraft’s final recorded information displayed an altitude of that level and a speed of 210 mph ahead of the impact.

Maintenance Background

Based on FAA documents dated 18 September, a fracture on a structural piece within the tank area demanded repairs.

The company ST Engineering, which indicated it supplies structural repairs for the company’s jet and runs a maintenance center in San Antonio, chose not to provide remarks, but expressed it would work closely when relevant authorities contacted it.

Activities Resume

At the same time, the hub operations continued last night with its Next Day Air or nighttime operation, official Jim Mayer said. All three tarmacs at the airport were additionally back in operation.

The UPS package handling facility in the city is the organization’s biggest. The hub hires over a large number of people in the locality, manages numerous aircraft daily and sorts in excess of 400,000 items per hour.

Local Reaction

A candlelight vigil was conducted on the late afternoon of recently by the area Teamsters Union, which supports staff at the aviation hub, the organization’s biggest air cargo hub.

The union chapter, which stands for UPS workers, commenced the gathering with a moment of silence at the evening hour, the rough moment of the crash previously.

“This tragedy was so sudden, so unforeseen,” the official told the group of attendees. “No one had a moment to bid farewell to any of those who we have said farewell to.”