Newly released images from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reveal that the engine of a UPS cargo plane detached from its wing moments before the aircraft crashed during takeoff. The frame-by-frame photos show the engine flying off and striking the fuselage as the plane lifted from the runway in Louisville, Kentucky.
The cargo plane, bound for Hawaii, never rose higher than 30 feet above the ground before crashing. It narrowly cleared the runway but parts of the aircraft hit the roof of a nearby UPS warehouse. The crash resulted in 14 fatalities and 23 injuries on November 4.
Engine Mount Failure and Maintenance Lapses
The NTSB’s preliminary investigation identified "fatigue cracks in addition to areas of overstress failure" on one of the engine mounts on the left wing. Investigators found a fractured bearing that secured the engine mount connection. The aircraft had logged approximately 92,992 flight hours and over 21,000 cycles.
A critical inspection required at 29,200 cycles for the engine mounts and associated components had reportedly not been completed, according to the airplane’s maintenance records. This maintenance oversight may have contributed to the structural failure that caused the engine detachment.
Impact and Safety Concerns
At the time of the crash, the plane was carrying tens of thousands of gallons of fuel, creating a hazardous situation with what a local official described as “raining oil.” Authorities issued an initial shelter-in-place order within a five-mile radius of the airport due to fears of secondary explosions and air pollution.
Among the fatalities, three victims were crew members onboard the plane, while 11 were individuals on the ground near the crash site. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency and activated the Kentucky National Guard in response.
Ongoing Investigation
Officials continue to investigate the crash, including detailed examinations of the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. These "black boxes" have been secured in a safe facility for further analysis. The NTSB has yet to release a final report detailing all findings and conclusions about the accident’s cause.
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