Federal investigators have unveiled startling images of an engine detachment from a fated UPS cargo plane that crashed in Kentucky two weeks ago, resulting in 14 fatalities. The photos depict cracks in the engine mount of the left wing.
A series of six pictures exhibit 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 flies above.
The final photo displays the aircraft attempting to take off but only managing to ascend 30 feet, as reported by the National Transportation Safety Board. This detail was extracted from the flight data recorder and included in their preliminary report on the November 4 incident in Louisville, Kentucky.
The tragic accident claimed the lives of three pilots aboard the plane and 11 individuals on the ground near Muhammad Ali International Airport.
According to the NTSB, the aircraft was not yet scheduled for a comprehensive inspection of crucial engine mount components with fractures. It still required around 7,000 more takeoffs and landings before the inspection. The last examination was conducted in October 2021.
Following the report’s release, former federal crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti speculated that the maintenance conducted by UPS appeared to align with the mandated timeframe, but raised concerns about the adequacy of the inspection intervals.
The timing of the development of cracks on the 34-year-old plane remains uncertain, and whether they could have been overlooked in the prior inspection. Aviation expert John Cox described fatigue cracks as a normal occurrence in aircraft due to constant vibrations on metal parts like engine mounts. The frequency of inspections and necessary maintenance are crucial considerations.
The latest details from the NTSB report indicate that the cockpit voice recorder detected an alarm bell ringing about 37 seconds after the UPS crew requested takeoff thrust.
Sean Garber, who assessed the report and experienced damage at his auto salvage yard near the airport, described the tragedy as a man-made human error.
All MD-11s utilized by UPS, FedEx, and Western Global, along with a few related DC-10s, were grounded post-crash for inspection and repairs, pending further directives from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Cox highlighted the impending tough decisions that air carriers would face as they had plans to retire these planes in the coming years, potentially incurring substantial costs for engine inspections or replacements.
UPS and FedEx have confirmed that MD-11 aircraft constitute 9% and 4% of their respective fleets. Bill Moore, president of UPS Airlines, stated that the company is collaborating with investigators to determine the primary cause of the crash.