Federal investigators have unveiled striking images showing an engine detachment from a UPS cargo plane that tragically crashed in Kentucky two weeks ago, resulting in 14 fatalities. The photos expose visible cracks in the engine mount on the left wing.
A series of six pictures depict the engine’s rear starting to separate, followed by a fiery ascent over the wing. Subsequent images capture the wing engulfed in flames as the burning engine rises above it.
The final photo reveals the aircraft beginning to lift off, but the MD-11 plane only managed to ascend 30 feet (9.1 meters) before the crash, as reported by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in their preliminary findings on the incident that occurred on November 4 near Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky.
The tragic accident claimed the lives of three pilots on board and 11 individuals on the ground. The NTSB disclosed that the plane was not yet due for a detailed inspection of critical engine mount components with fractures, having undergone its last examination in October 2021 after nearly 7,000 takeoffs and landings.
Former federal crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti, following the report’s release, raised concerns about the adequacy of maintenance time frames set by UPS and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The timing and detection of the cracks on the 34-year-old plane remain unclear, with aviation expert John Cox describing fatigue cracks as a common occurrence due to the vibrations experienced during flight.
The NTSB’s report provided new insights, including the cockpit voice recorder capturing an alarm ringing 37 seconds after the UPS crew requested takeoff thrust. Sean Garber, who experienced the tragedy firsthand near his auto salvage yard, characterized the event as a human error tragedy.
Following the crash, all MD-11s operated by UPS, FedEx, and Western Global, alongside a few related DC-10s, were grounded for inspection and repair without specific directives from the FAA. Cox highlighted the challenges these airlines face in deciding the fate of these aging aircraft and the associated costs of potential inspections or replacements.
UPS and FedEx have acknowledged that MD-11 aircraft constitute a significant portion of their fleets, with UPS Airlines president Bill Moore affirming their commitment to collaborating with investigators to ascertain the crash’s root cause.