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UPS Plane Crash Kills 15; Engine Failure Investigated

1/16/2026

39 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports a UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, that killed 15 people.
Investigators found fatigue cracks in the engine-mount part that contributed to the engine detaching after takeoff on November 4, 2025.
The engine-mount part had failed four times on other MD-11 aircraft.
Boeing flagged the part in 2011.
A final report is expected in 12–24 months.

History

Historical Context

The MD-11 aircraft, introduced in 1990, faced numerous safety concerns, including fatal crashes like Swissair Flight 111 in 1998. In 2025, a UPS cargo flight crashed in Louisville, killing 15 people, prompting an NTSB investigation. This incident underscores the need for stricter aviation safety regulations, particularly for aging fleets, as the FAA grounded all MD-11s pending inspections.

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Story summary

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports a UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, that killed 15 people.
Investigators found fatigue cracks in the engine-mount part that contributed to the engine detaching after takeoff on November 4, 2025.
The engine-mount part had failed four times on other MD-11 aircraft.
Boeing flagged the part in 2011.
A final report is expected in 12–24 months.

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