Federal investigators have made significant revelations regarding the tragic crash of a UPS cargo plane that occurred on November 4, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has indicated that there were notable cracks found in the engine mount of the plane, which contributed to the disaster that claimed 14 lives.
Details of the Incident
The cargo plane, an MD-11, only ascended 30 feet into the air before it crashed. This was confirmed by data extracted from the flight data recorder. Among the 14 fatalities were three crew members and 11 individuals on the ground near Muhammad Ali International Airport.
Investigation Findings
- The left wing’s engine mount had cracks deemed significant.
- The plane was not scheduled for an extensive inspection of these parts until it had completed nearly 7,000 additional takeoffs and landings.
- Previous examinations occurred in October 2021.
Despite UPS Airlines conducting maintenance within regulatory time frames, experts, such as Jeff Guzzetti, have expressed concerns about the adequacy of these intervals. The NTSB has released images that depict the left engine detaching and the aircraft in a precarious situation shortly before the impact.
Response from UPS Airlines
Bill Moore, the president of UPS Airlines, stated that the company is collaborating with investigators to uncover the crash’s “root cause.” He emphasized the importance of developing a comprehensive inspection plan following their findings. Moore also noted that the return of the fleet to service would not be expedited.
Immediate Actions Taken
In light of the crash, UPS has grounded its fleet of MD-11 aircraft and is utilizing alternative planes during the busy holiday period. The NTSB has secured vital evidence, including the plane’s black boxes, which will assist in the ongoing investigation.
Victims of the Crash
Louiville Mayor Craig Greenberg has publicly identified the victims of the crash, which included:
- Angela Anderson, 45
- Carlos Fernandez, 52
- Louisnes Fedon, 47
- Kimberly Asa, 3 (Fedon’s granddaughter)
- Trinadette “Trina” Chavez, 37
- Tony Crain, 65
- John Loucks, 52
- John Spray, 45
- Matthew Sweets, 37
- Ella Petty Whorton, 31
- Megan Washburn, 35
Reports have indicated that three victims were employees of Grade A Auto, a business that was impacted by the crash. The loss of life in this incident has deeply affected the community, especially the families of the victims.
