Fatalities climb to 15 in UPS Flight 2976 crash as MD-11 grounding continues

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced that the death toll from the tragic UPS Flight 2976 crash has risen to 15.

The latest victim, Alain Rodriguez Colina, died on Christmas Day from injuries sustained in the November 4 accident. Colina was working at Grade A Auto Parts and Recycling, one of the businesses struck by the aircraft. The cargo flight, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F, crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF). The accident is the deadliest in UPS history, killing all three crew members and twelve people on the ground.

Regulatory Action and Fleet Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a sweeping Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) following the disaster. This directive grounded all MD-11 and MD-11F aircraft. The FAA later expanded the grounding to include similar DC-10 and MD-10 models. This action was taken because the unsafe condition was deemed likely to exist in other products of the same design.

Major cargo operators like UPS and FedEx voluntarily grounded their MD-11 fleets immediately after the incident. The grounding severely disrupted overnight cargo operations at major U.S. hubs. This included Memphis, Dallas–Fort Worth, and Ontario, California, causing short-term delays in supply chains. The MD-11 fleet represents a small but critical fraction of the overall cargo capacity for these carriers.

NTSB Investigation Focus

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB investigation) is ongoing. Preliminary findings indicate the aircraft's left engine and pylon separated from the wing during the takeoff roll. Investigators found evidence of fatigue cracks in the hardware that attaches the engine to the wing. Specifically, the aft mount lugs of the pylon showed both fatigue cracks and overstress fractures.

This structural failure is the central focus of the NTSB's work. The investigation is now shifting to metallurgical analysis of the fracture origins. They are also reviewing the adequacy of maintenance history and inspection intervals. The findings draw parallels to the 1979 American Airlines Flight 191 crash involving a DC-10. The final report is expected to provide critical insights for cargo aviation safety protocols.

Key Details on the Aircraft

• The accident aircraft, registered N259UP, was a 34-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD-11F.
• It had accumulated over 92,992 flight hours and 21,043 cycles.
• The NTSB noted that two special detailed inspections linked to cycle thresholds had not yet come due.

Industry Impact and Legal Action

The unprecedented FAA grounding highlights the severity of the structural findings. The incident has raised concerns about the structural integrity of aging freighter aircraft. Wrongful death lawsuits have already been filed against UPS and engine manufacturer General Electric (GE). These lawsuits accuse the company of inadequate maintenance on older planes. The aviation community awaits the final NTSB report for definitive safety recommendations. For more updates on commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.