UPS Plane Crash: Cracked Engine Mount Identified as Potential Cause

Preliminary Findings in UPS Plane Crash

• ✈️ A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville on November 4th, killing three crew members and eleven people on the ground.
• 📸 Investigators released surveillance photos showing the left engine and pylon separating from the left wing just after takeoff, igniting a fireball.

Engine Mount Fatigue Cracks

• 🔬 The NTSB's preliminary report highlights fatigue cracks found in the hardware attaching the engine pylon to the jet, described as symptoms of overstressing.
• 🛠️ Aviation experts suggest that the severe vibration from large engines, combined with the aircraft regularly carrying heavy loads, could lead to trust fractures in the mounting area.

Inspection Intervals and Aircraft Age

• 📈 The findings may prompt the FAA to review inspection intervals for similar aircraft, especially considering the jet was 34 years old.
• ⏳ While the preliminary report was released faster than usual, the full investigation is expected to take about a year.

Ground Impact and Aircraft Grounding

• 💥 The jet's debris path adjacent to the airport included a storage yard and two buildings, including a petroleum recycling facility, which exacerbated the fire.
• 🚫 All 34-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD11 planes, primarily operated by UPS and FedEx, have been grounded pending clearance from inspectors.