NTSB Update: Timeline Reconstruction of Fatal UPS Plane Crash in Louisville

NTSB Investigation Update

• 🔍 The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is actively investigating the fatal UPS plane crash near Louisville International Airport.
• 🤝 Parties to the investigation include the FAA, UPS, Independent Pilots Association (IPA), Teamsters Union, Boeing Corporation, and GE Aircraft Engines.
• 🛠️ The NTSB has assembled a multi-disciplinary team of over 30 individuals, including additional vehicle performance specialists and materials engineers.

Recovery of Flight Recorders

• ✈️ Both the flight data recorder (FDR) and the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) have been successfully recovered and their data extracted.
• 📊 The FDR contains approximately 63 hours of data over 24 flights, including the accident flight, with about 420 recorded parameters.
• 🎙️ The CVR contains about two hours of audio, including the accident flight; a transcript will be made available after validation.

Preliminary Findings and Debris

• 📈 Preliminary ADSB data shows the aircraft at 475 ft altitude traveling at 183 knots at 5:13 AM EST on the night of the accident.
• 🔩 A FODWalk on runway 17R uncovered multiple pieces of engine fan blades and the main component of the number one engine, which have been transferred for examination.
• 🗺️ Investigators are working to piece together a timeline of events using data from the FDR, CVR, and other information.

Maintenance and Aircraft History

• 🧐 The NTSB is reviewing maintenance records for the aircraft, which was in San Antonio, Texas, for approximately six weeks.
• 📹 CCTV footage from both San Antonio and Louisville airports is being pulled to understand activities around the aircraft.
• ⚠️ UPS has stated there was no maintenance work done on the aircraft immediately prior to the flight that would have delayed it.
• ✈️ The NTSB is also examining reports of potential repairs to fuel tanks and other parts, and will assess if these met safety criteria.
• ❓ Questions regarding whether the crew was assigned to a different aircraft due to maintenance issues are also being investigated.

Investigation Scope and Future Recommendations

• 🏗️ The NTSB may reconstruct parts of the aircraft, or even the entire plane if necessary, to understand the cause of the crash.
• 🚨 If any safety concerns are identified, the NTSB will not hesitate to make urgent recommendations to prevent future accidents.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The NTSB is briefing families of victims on the ground and will brief families of those on the plane separately.