In brief
A UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, has led to a federal investigation revealing evidence of cracks in the engine mount. The plane only gained 30 feet in altitude before tragedy struck, killing three pilots and 11 others on the ground. The National Transportation Safety Board will further analyze inspection protocols as UPS grounds its MD-11 fleet temporarily.
Federal investigators released dramatic photos Thursday showing an engine flying off a UPS cargo plane that crashed two weeks ago, killing 14 people in Kentucky. The MD-11 aircraft only climbed 30 feet before the incident, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in its preliminary report. The crash claimed the lives of three pilots on board and 11 more individuals on the ground near Muhammad Ali International Airport.Inspections revealed cracks in the engine mount, which allowed for the engine's detachment during takeoff. UPS Airlines President Bill Moore stated that the duration until the next scheduled inspection for the components was still 7,000 takeoffs away and implied that the FAA may reconsider maintenance timelines.The NTSB's report includes stunning images capturing the final moments of the aircraft as its left wing caught fire. UPS has grounded its MD-11 fleet and is utilizing different aircraft for operation during the holiday season while coordinating closely with investigators to determine the full cause of this tragic accident.
