Federal investigators have unveiled alarming photographs of an engine detachment from a UPS cargo plane that crashed in Kentucky two weeks ago, resulting in 14 fatalities. The pictures depict indications of fractures in the engine mount of the left wing.
In a series of six images, the engine’s rear is depicted starting to detach before rising above the wing in a fiery burst. Subsequent photos capture the wing engulfed in flames as the burning engine soars overhead.
The final image shows the aircraft attempting to take off. Nevertheless, the MD-11 plane only managed to ascend 30 feet (9.1 meters) above the ground, as per the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report on the November 4 incident in Louisville, Kentucky.
The tragic crash led to the loss of three pilots on board the plane and an additional 11 individuals near Muhammad Ali International Airport.
According to the NTSB, the plane was not yet due for an in-depth examination of critical engine mount components with fractures. It still had around 7,000 more takeoffs and landings to complete. The last inspection was carried out in October 2021.
Following the report’s release, former federal crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti expressed concerns about the adequacy of the maintenance time frame set by UPS. The Federal Aviation Administration may now reconsider the suitability of this timeframe.
The exact timing of when the fractures began developing on the 34-year-old plane remains uncertain, raising questions about whether they could have been overlooked during the previous inspection. Aviation expert John Cox described fatigue cracks as a typical result of aircraft wear and tear caused by the vibrations of metal parts like the engine mount during flight.
The NTSB report provided fresh insights since board member Todd Inman briefed journalists on November 7. The cockpit voice recorder captured an alarm going off approximately 37 seconds after the UPS crew requested takeoff thrust.
Sean Garber, who examined the report and had his auto salvage yard near the airport damaged, labeled the tragedy as a man-made human error incident.
All MD-11s operated by UPS, FedEx, and Western Global, as well as a few related DC-10s, were grounded post-accident pending inspection and repairs. The Federal Aviation Administration has not specified the necessary measures yet.
Cox emphasized that these airlines will face tough decisions as they were planning to retire these planes in the coming years. He highlighted the potentially substantial costs associated with engine removal for visual inspection or replacement.
UPS and FedEx have stated that MD-11 aircraft account for approximately 9% and 4% of their respective fleets. Earlier, Bill Moore, president of UPS Airlines, confirmed their collaboration with investigators to identify the primary cause of the crash.