NTSB releases new images of UPS plane moments before deadly crash

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released new preliminary findings, including critical images, from its ongoing investigation into the deadly crash of UPS Flight 2976. These newly public photos capture the harrowing moments just before the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter plane crashed, specifically showing the aircraft's left engine detaching and igniting during takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. This release marks a significant step in understanding the sequence of events that led to the catastrophic accident.

The incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. local time on November 5, as UPS Flight 2976 was departing Louisville, Kentucky, en route to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii. According to the NTSB's preliminary report, a "large plume of fire" erupted from the plane's left wing, immediately preceding the engine's detachment. This critical failure initiated a chain of events culminating in the crash, which has drawn intense scrutiny from aviation safety experts and the cargo industry.

The tragic crash resulted in the deaths of all three crew members aboard the aircraft. Furthermore, the ground impact caused 11 fatalities and injured 23 individuals on the ground, underscoring the severe consequences of the accident. The NTSB continues its comprehensive investigation, analyzing flight data recorders, cockpit voice recorders, and physical evidence to determine the precise cause of the engine failure and subsequent crash, with further updates expected as the inquiry progresses.