Federal investigators have unveiled alarming images depicting an engine detachment from a fated UPS cargo plane that tragically crashed in Kentucky two weeks ago, resulting in the loss of 14 lives. These photos exhibit visible cracks in the engine mount on the left wing.
A series of six photographs illustrates the rear of the engine beginning to separate, followed by its ascent over the wing engulfed in flames. Subsequent images capture the wing being consumed by fire as the burning engine rises above it.
The final photo shows the plane commencing its ascent, but the MD-11 aircraft only managed to reach a height of 30 feet (9.1 meters) before the crash, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. This information was derived from the flight data recorder and included in their preliminary report on the November 4 tragedy in Louisville, Kentucky.
Tragically, the crash claimed the lives of three pilots aboard the aircraft and an additional 11 individuals on the ground near Muhammad Ali International Airport.
The NTSB indicated that the aircraft was not yet due for an in-depth inspection of critical engine mount components with fractures, as it still needed to complete roughly 7,000 more takeoffs and landings. The last inspection took place in October 2021.
Following the report’s release, former federal crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti raised concerns about the adequacy of the maintenance timeframe conducted by UPS, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to review the maintenance protocols.
The timeline of when the cracks started developing on the 34-year-old aircraft remains unclear, raising questions about whether they could have been overlooked in the previous inspection. Aviation expert John Cox described fatigue cracks as a natural occurrence in aircraft due to the vibrations experienced during flights, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance.
New details from the NTSB report revealed that the cockpit voice recorder captured an alarm sounding about 37 seconds after the UPS crew initiated takeoff thrust.
Sean Garber, who scrutinized the report and experienced damage to his auto salvage yard near the airport, described the incident as a tragedy caused by human error.
All MD-11 aircraft used by UPS, FedEx, and Western Global, along with a few related DC-10s, were grounded for inspection and repairs post-crash, pending further directives from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Cox highlighted the tough decisions that air carriers like UPS, FedEx, and Western Global would have to make regarding the aging fleet and potential costly maintenance requirements, considering their plans to retire these planes in the coming years.
UPS Airlines President Bill Moore mentioned that the company is actively collaborating with investigators to identify the primary cause of the crash. UPS and FedEx have disclosed that MD-11 aircraft constitute around 9% of the UPS fleet and 4% of the FedEx fleet.