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The total count of lives lost due to the UPS cargo plane which caught fire and crashed has now risen to 13, per recent statements.

Mayor's Statement

“On my way to the Workers’ memorial service, I received word of a 13th person that passed away as a result of the UPS flight 2976 accident,” stated the municipal leader in a public communication. “My thoughts are with the relatives, associates and co-workers of all who were taken in this week’s disaster. We will endure this as one.”

Victims Named

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

“Our thoughts go out to all employee who has been affected and everyone in our local region – assisting you and ensuring you get the support and resources you need is our priority,” the firm’s message read.

Investigation Findings

Government investigators disclosed that the jet’s port side wing caught fire and an power plant fell off shortly after takeoff from the airfield, leading to the plane to crash and erupt into a blaze.

The National Transportation Safety Board announced it is examining the jet’s service record, which was in Texas for repairs several weeks before the incident.

Flight tracking records revealed the plane was on the runway in San Antonio, Texas from the start of last month to last week.

“We are aware that this plane was present in San Antonio,” stated an NTSB member on Thursday, without providing a specific time frame. “We will examine every piece of service that was done, even the repair visit, straight to the date of the trip.”

Findings of Key Items

The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were recovered, and the power plant was found on the airfield.

The recorders – referred to as data containers – were designed to survive collision damage and intense heat from infernos, and they looked to be in one piece when discovered within the crash debris. Investigators intend to analyzing data from the black boxes.

Jet’s final flight details displayed an height of that level and a speed of 210 mph before the crash.

Service Background

Per aviation authority records dated 18 September, a fracture on a part within the center wing fuel tank demanded repairs.

The company ST Engineering, which stated it supplies aircraft servicing for UPS’s jet and runs a service location in that city, declined to provide remarks, but stated it would work closely when relevant authorities reached out it.

Operations Restart

Meanwhile, UPS Worldport services restarted last night with its express also known as nighttime process, representative the company official confirmed. Each of the three tarmacs at the airport were also open again.

The UPS package handling facility in this location is the firm’s biggest. The facility employs in excess of 20,000 people in the region, manages numerous flights daily and processes over four hundred thousand items each hour.

Public Reaction

A memorial was held on the night of 6 November by the area worker’s group, which acts for workers at the Louisville airport, the firm’s largest freight center.

Teamsters Local 89, which represents UPS workers, started the vigil with a quiet tribute at 5.14pm, the estimated hour of the incident two days earlier.

“This tragedy was so abrupt, so unforeseen,” the mayor addressed the group of 200. “No one had a opportunity to say goodbye to each of those who we have said farewell to.”