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The number of fatalities due to the transport jet that ignited and went down has now climbed to 13, according to latest announcements.

Mayor's Remarks

“On my way to the Union’s memorial service, I received word of a additional fatality that lost their life as a consequence of the plane incident,” expressed the municipal leader in a social media post. “My prayers is with the loved ones, associates and co-workers of all who were killed in this recently occurred tragedy. We will overcome this collectively.”

Deceased Identified

A release from UPS listed the officers operating the aircraft as Pilot Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.

“Our hearts are extended to every employee who has been touched and everyone in our local area – assisting you and ensuring you get the support and aid you need is our focus,” the firm’s message stated.

Investigation Details

Federal officials disclosed that the freight aircraft’s wing caught fire and an engine separated just after departure from the airfield, leading to the plane to crash and explode into a blaze.

The safety agency has said it is examining the aircraft’s service record, that was in Texas for maintenance a period before the incident.

Aviation data revealed the jet was on the tarmac in that location from the start of last month to last week.

“We are cognizant that this aircraft was there in San Antonio,” stated an official on Thursday, not giving a exact time frame. “We will examine each aspect of maintenance that was done, even the Texas visit, right up to the time of the flight.”

Retrieval of Critical Items

The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were retrieved, and the engine was located on the tarmac.

The devices – known as black boxes – were constructed to withstand collision damage and extreme heat from fires, and they seemed to be intact when located within the wreckage. Investigators intend to examining data from the devices.

The plane’s last recorded information showed an elevation of that level and a velocity of that speed prior to the accident.

Repair Record

Per Federal Aviation Administration files from last month, a crack on a structural piece in the tank area demanded maintenance.

Singapore-based ST Engineering, which stated it provides structural repairs for the company’s jet and operates a repair facility in San Antonio, chose not to speak, but said it would assist completely when officials approached it.

Operations Continue

In the meantime, the facility activities resumed that evening with its express or night sort process, official a representative confirmed. The three landing strips at the airport were likewise back in operation.

The UPS package handling facility in the city is the organization’s largest. The facility hires over twenty thousand workers in the locality, processes three hundred aircraft per day and sorts in excess of four hundred thousand parcels each hour.

Local Support

A memorial was organized on the late afternoon of recently by the area Teamsters Union, which represents employees at the airfield, the organization’s largest shipping facility.

Teamsters Local 89, which supports UPS workers, commenced the vigil with a quiet tribute at 5.14pm, the estimated time of the crash previously.

“This incident was so abrupt, so unexpected,” the leader spoke to the group of attendees. “No one had a opportunity to bid farewell to any one of those who we have said farewell to.”