In a tragic incident, a UPS cargo plane experienced severe mechanical failure shortly after takeoff from Louisville. Surveillance footage revealed that the left engine detached from the aircraft during the takeoff roll. This crucial evidence is being examined by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as part of their investigation.
Details of the Incident
On Tuesday evening, the McDonnell-Douglas MD-11 cargo aircraft, tail number N259UP, was en route to Honolulu when it crashed near the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. The aircraft, which was approximately 34 years old, had been delivered to UPS in 2006 after serving Thai Airways. A spokesperson from Boeing confirmed that their technical team is collaborating with the NTSB to resolve the matter.
Impact of the Crash
The Louisville Fire Department indicated that the aircraft carried around 38,000 gallons of fuel at the time of the accident. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced that the death toll has risen to at least 11 individuals, with expectations of it increasing further. In the aftermath of the crash, UPS suspended operations at its Worldport sorting facility, affecting their Second Day air shipping services.
Expert Insights
Former Delta MD-11 pilot, Mark Stephens, described the perilous nature of losing an engine during takeoff. He noted that the time for pilots to react to such failures is critically limited. It is important to understand that while engine detachment is rare, it can occur under high vibration conditions.
Context of Cargo Aviation Safety
- Approximately 60 MD-11 aircraft are actively used by cargo airlines such as UPS, FedEx, and Western Global worldwide.
- The MD-11 has not been used for passenger flights since 2014.
- This incident marks the second significant cargo airline crash within a month, following an Emirates SkyCargo accident in Hong Kong.
The investigation continues, and authorities are working diligently to determine the cause of the engine failure. The outcome of this inquiry will be crucial for enhancing safety standards in the cargo aviation industry.
