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The total count of victims resulting from the freight aircraft which burst into flames and plummeted has now reached 13, per official reports.

Official's Remarks

While en route to the Workers’ memorial service, I received word of a thirteenth victim that passed away as a consequence of the plane accident,” wrote the municipal leader in a public communication. “My thoughts is with the relatives, companions and peers of all who were taken in this week’s disaster. We will endure this as one.”

Victims Named

A release from the company named the flight crew on board the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.

“Our sympathies are extended to every staff member who has been affected and all in our local community – assisting you and making sure you get the attention and aid you need is our focus,” the firm’s message stated.

Inquiry Details

National officials announced that the jet’s port side wing ignited and an engine detached just after departure from the airfield, causing the aircraft to crash and explode into a inferno.

The NTSB stated it is investigating the plane’s service record, that was in the state for maintenance a period ahead of the accident.

Aviation records revealed the jet was on the tarmac in the Texas city from early September to 18 October.

“We are aware that this aircraft was there in San Antonio,” stated an NTSB member on Thursday, without providing a specific period. “We will examine all elements of service that was done, from the Texas time, right up to the date of the flight.”

Retrieval of Vital Items

The audio device and flight data recorder were found, and the engine was located on the runway.

The units – known as data containers – were constructed to endure collision damage and intense fire from infernos, and they appeared to be intact when found among the remains. Authorities intend to reviewing recordings from the recorders.

Aircraft’s final flight details displayed an height of 475 feet and a velocity of that speed prior to the impact.

Maintenance Background

Per FAA records from 18 September, a fissure on a component within the tank area demanded repairs.

Singapore-based ST Engineering, which said it offers airframe maintenance for UPS’s MD-11 and operates a repair facility in San Antonio, refused to provide remarks, but stated it would assist completely when officials approached it.

Activities Restart

At the same time, the hub operations resumed that evening with its overnight also known as night sort process, spokesperson the company official said. All three runways at Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport were additionally open again.

The distribution hub in the city is the company’s biggest. The facility engages more than 20,000 individuals in the locality, processes three hundred trips each day and processes over 400,000 items per hour.

Public Support

A candlelight vigil was conducted on the evening of that date by the area labor union, which acts for workers at the airfield, the firm’s biggest air cargo hub.

The union chapter, which stands for employees, started the gathering with a quiet tribute at the evening hour, the rough moment of the crash before.

“This tragedy was so abrupt, so unexpected,” the official told the crowd of 200. “No one had a moment to part to any of those who we have lost.”