Home / Disasters and Accidents / Metal Fatigue Blamed for UPS Plane Explosion
Metal Fatigue Blamed for UPS Plane Explosion
21 Nov
Summary
- UPS cargo plane engine detached due to metal fatigue.
- Engine detachment caused a massive fireball and crash.
- 11 people on the ground were killed in the incident.
A preliminary report revealed that metal fatigue was the likely cause of a catastrophic UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky. The 34-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD-11 experienced its left engine detaching from the pylon during takeoff, igniting a massive fireball. This critical failure resulted in the deaths of all three crew members and 11 individuals on the ground.
Investigators discovered fatigue cracks in the engine mount hardware, which led to the engine separating from the aircraft. The detached engine subsequently impacted the ground and fuselage, sparking the devastating blaze. Despite the inferno, the plane managed to clear the airport fence but crashed shortly thereafter, impacting several buildings.
The incident has raised serious questions about maintenance protocols, with the engine mount last inspected in 2021 and not due for another check for 7,000 flights. Aviation experts and legal representatives are scrutinizing whether UPS and the FAA's inspection timelines were adequate, especially given the age of the aircraft and previous similar incidents involving the MD-11's predecessor.
