The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary findings from the deadly UPS plane crash in Louisville. The report contains not-previously released photos of the plane catching fire, a detailed look at the flight path, diagrams of the plane parts and more.READ THE FULL REPORT HEREThe photo below shows the progression of takeoff when the left engine and pylon separate from the wing and catch fire.Pay particular attention to photos 2, 3 and 4 above.The report reveals that there were some cracks and failures on the pylon, the part that attaches the engine to the wing.It also says investigators found “fatigue cracks” (cracks that grow gradually from repeated stresses) in the left pylon aft mount lugs and a fractured aft spherical bearing race. The pylon also had “areas of overstress failure,” the NTSB report says.The NTSB said the parts mentioned underwent a detailed visual inspection in 2021, and the crash happened before the next scheduled inspection. The report also confirms which of the three pilots on board was flying: First Officer Lee Truitt, of Albuquerque, NM. The report does not reveal the cause of the crash, and says the investigation is ongoing. It could be as long as a year before an official cause is determined.The cargo plane crashed on Nov. 4 while leaving Louisville’s airport. Fourteen people died and numerous others were hurt. Days later, both UPS and the FAA grounded MD-11s, the model that crashed.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. —
The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary findings from the deadly UPS plane crash in Louisville.
The report contains not-previously released photos of the plane catching fire, a detailed look at the flight path, diagrams of the plane parts and more.
The photo below shows the progression of takeoff when the left engine and pylon separate from the wing and catch fire.
Pay particular attention to photos 2, 3 and 4 above.
The report reveals that there were some cracks and failures on the pylon, the part that attaches the engine to the wing.
It also says investigators found “fatigue cracks” (cracks that grow gradually from repeated stresses) in the left pylon aft mount lugs and a fractured aft spherical bearing race.
The pylon also had “areas of overstress failure,” the NTSB report says.
The NTSB said the parts mentioned underwent a detailed visual inspection in 2021, and the crash happened before the next scheduled inspection.
The report also confirms which of the three pilots on board was flying: First Officer Lee Truitt, of Albuquerque, NM.
The report does not reveal the cause of the crash, and says the investigation is ongoing. It could be as long as a year before an official cause is determined.
The cargo plane crashed on Nov. 4 while leaving Louisville’s airport. Fourteen people died and numerous others were hurt.
Days later, both UPS and the FAA grounded MD-11s, the model that crashed.