Federal investigators have unveiled disturbing photographs showing an engine detachment from a UPS cargo plane that tragically crashed in Kentucky two weeks ago, resulting in the loss of 14 lives. The pictures depict visible cracks in the engine mount of the aircraft’s left wing.
A series of six images capture the engine separating from the rear, rising above the wing in a fiery burst. Subsequent photos show the wing engulfed in flames as the detached engine continues soaring above it.
The final image displays the aircraft beginning to take off, but the MD-11 plane managed to ascend only 30 feet (9.1 meters) before the crash. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), this information was retrieved from the flight data recorder and included in their preliminary report on the November 4 incident in Louisville, Kentucky.
The crash resulted in the loss of three pilots on board the plane and an additional 11 individuals on the ground near Muhammad Ali International Airport.
The NTSB indicated that the plane was not yet due for a comprehensive inspection of critical engine mount components with fractures. It still required approximately 7,000 more takeoffs and landings before the next examination, with the last inspection conducted in October 2021.
Following the report’s release, former federal crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti expressed concerns about the adequacy of the maintenance timeline for UPS, prompting potential reevaluation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The origin and timing of the cracks on the 34-year-old plane remain unclear, raising questions about whether they were overlooked during the prior inspection. Aviation expert John Cox characterized fatigue cracks as a normal consequence of aircraft operation, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance.
The recent NTSB report disclosed fresh details, including the cockpit voice recorder indicating an alarm bell sounding 37 seconds after the UPS crew initiated takeoff thrust.
Sean Garber, who experienced losses near the crash site, labeled the incident as a human error tragedy. The grounding of MD-11s used by UPS, FedEx, and Western Global, alongside some DC-10s, for inspection and repairs followed the crash, pending FAA directives on necessary actions.
Cox highlighted the imminent challenges faced by the air carriers, as retiring the planes was already planned within the next few years. The potential costs associated with engine inspections or replacements were cited as significant concerns.
UPS and FedEx have reported that MD-11 aircraft constitute 9% and 4% of their respective fleets. Bill Moore, president of UPS Airlines, affirmed collaboration with investigators to ascertain the primary cause of the crash.