The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on 19/5 released video showing the moment a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft operated by UPS crashed to the ground during takeoff from Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky, en route to Honolulu, Hawaii, on 4/11.
In the video, the aircraft's left engine and pylon unexpectedly detached completely from the wing, flying upwards and catching fire, creating a large fireball, while the MD-11 tilted sharply to one side. The plane then crashed onto the runway, killing three pilots on board and 12 people on the ground, with 23 others injured.
This video had never been released publicly and was only revealed during a two-day hearing held in Washington regarding the accident.
The NTSB stated immediately after the accident that investigators found cracks in some of the pylons attaching the engines to the aircraft's wings. These cracks were not detected during routine maintenance, raising questions about whether the maintenance schedule was fully adhered to.
The MD-11's engine pylons were last thoroughly inspected in 10/2021, and according to the schedule, the aircraft was not due for its next in-depth inspection for approximately 7,000 more flights.
In 2011, Boeing had previously recorded 4 cases of damage across three aircraft related to engine pylons, but at the time, the manufacturer determined the incidents posed no risk to flight safety.
Following the accident, some experts had suggested that the MD-11 fleet might be permanently grounded if repair costs exceeded the value of these older aircraft. However, Boeing stated it found a solution to address safety concerns by simply replacing the ball joint in the pylon and increasing inspection frequency.
Some MD-11 aircraft, a key component of UPS's cargo fleet, have resumed operations after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved Boeing's plan to replace the ball joint on each aircraft and increase inspection frequency.
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Black smoke rising from the area where the UPS MD-11 cargo plane crashed near Louisville International Airport, Kentucky, on 4/11 last year. Photo: AFP |
FedEx resumed operations with this aircraft type for deliveries from 10/5, but UPS announced plans to retire its entire MD-11 fleet. Western Global is also operating MD-11 aircraft but has not yet disclosed its future plans.
According to AP, Independent, Reuters
