Investigators say UPS plane that crashed in Kentucky, killing 14, had cracks in engine mount

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report on the fatal UPS MD-11 cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, revealing critical evidence of cracks in the left wing's engine mount. This discovery suggests the engine detached and ignited shortly after takeoff on November 4, leading to the deaths of three pilots and 11 individuals on the ground. The NTSB's findings highlight a significant safety concern for the aging MD-11 fleet.

Investigators noted that the 34-year-old aircraft was not yet due for a detailed inspection of the specific engine mount parts that fractured, with nearly 7,000 more takeoffs and landings remaining until its next scheduled examination. This raises questions about the adequacy of current maintenance schedules for such components. Aviation experts suggest fatigue cracks are normal wear and tear, but the frequency and depth of inspections are now under scrutiny by the US FAA, which may re-evaluate required maintenance protocols.

In response to the preliminary findings, UPS, FedEx, and Western Global have grounded their entire fleets of MD-11 aircraft, along with some related DC-10s, pending mandatory inspections and repairs. This grounding represents a substantial operational challenge for these major cargo carriers, as MD-11s constitute a notable portion of their fleets. The incident draws parallels to a 1979 American Airlines DC-10 crash in Chicago, which also involved an engine and pylon assembly separating from the wing, underscoring a historical vulnerability in these aircraft types. The industry awaits further NTSB conclusions to develop comprehensive inspection and repair plans before these critical cargo planes can return to service.