Federal investigators released dramatic photos showing an engine detaching from a UPS cargo plane before it crashed in Kentucky, killing 14. Evidence of cracks was found in the left wing's engine mount, leading to the grounding of all MD-11 aircraft.
Federal investigators released dramatic photos Thursday, showing an engine detaching from a doomed UPS MD-11 cargo plane that crashed two weeks ago in Louisville, Kentucky, killing 14 people (3 pilots and 11 on the ground). The images depicted the engine separating, flying over the wing as flames erupted, and the wing becoming engulfed in fire. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that the plane only reached 30 feet off the ground, citing flight data recorder information. Crucially, evidence of cracks was found in the left wing’s engine mount. The NTSB noted the 34-year-old plane was not due for a detailed inspection of these specific engine mount parts for another nearly 7,000 takeoffs and landings, having last been examined in October 2021. Former federal crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti suggested the FAA might re-evaluate the adequacy of current maintenance timeframes. Aviation expert John Cox described fatigue cracks as normal wear and tear, emphasizing the need to determine appropriate inspection frequency. The cockpit voice recorder captured an alarm 37 seconds after takeoff thrust. Following the incident, all MD-11s used by UPS, FedEx, and Western Global, along with some related DC-10s, were grounded for inspection and repair. This poses significant cost implications for airlines already planning to retire these aircraft. UPS Airlines President Bill Moore stated the company is working with investigators to determine the cause and develop an inspection plan to eventually return the fleet to service. The NTSB report drew parallels to a 1979 American Airlines DC-10 crash in Chicago that killed 273, where an engine also separated. Experts like Alan Diehl called engine pylon attachment failures the 'Achilles’ heels' of these aircraft and urged the FAA to reevaluate maintenance schedules, considering advanced inspection methods beyond visual checks, especially given the MD-11 and DC-10's historically high accident rates. Mourning continues in Louisville.
