In brief
Two weeks after a tragic UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, which claimed the lives of 14 individuals, federal investigators released haunting images of the moment an engine broke free during takeoff. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported evidence of cracks in the engine mount, raising critical questions about maintenance protocols as UPS temporarily grounds its MD-11 fleet.
In a somber update, federal investigators have released chilling images of the engine detaching from a UPS cargo plane during takeoff. The incident, which occurred two weeks ago in Louisville, Kentucky, resulted in the tragic deaths of 14 people, including three pilots and 11 individuals on the ground.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) highlighted that the MD-11 cargo plane barely cleared 30 feet (9.1 meters) off the ground before the engine's detachment, as indicated by data from the flight data recorder.
Initial investigations revealed alarming evidence of cracks in the left wing's engine mount. Notably, the plane had not yet reached the required inspection threshold for key engine mount components, indicating that it still had nearly 7,000 more takeoffs and landings scheduled before inspection.
“UPS appears to be maintaining its aircraft within the required time frame, yet the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) might now reconsider if these timelines are sufficient,” aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti stated after analyzing the preliminary report.
A series of released photos depict the left engine breaking off and rolling past the wing as the aircraft made its unfortunate ascent. The final image captures the plane slightly airborne, with flames erupting from the left wing.
Bill Moore, president of UPS Airlines, confirmed that the company is cooperating with investigators to identify the 'root cause' of the disaster. He emphasized the importance of developing an effective inspection plan, stating, “Once we determine that, they’ll be able to develop an inspection plan. Can we inspect it? If so, how do we repair it? How do we put it back together? And then eventually return the fleet to service. But that’s not going to happen quickly.”
In response to the incident, UPS has grounded its MD-11 fleet, temporarily deploying alternative aircraft during the busy holiday season.
