NTSB Holds Hearings on Fatal UPS Plane Crash in Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Federal safety investigators began a two-day hearing on Tuesday to investigate the crash of a UPS cargo plane that killed 15 people in November 2022.
The MD-11 plane lost an engine shortly after takeoff from Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport, crashing into nearby businesses. Authorities confirmed the deaths of three pilots aboard and 12 individuals on the ground, with additional injuries reported.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy expressed condolences to families, stating, “Your loved ones are the reason we're here. We want to find out what happened.” More than 2,000 pages of documents were released, revealing maintenance issues with the aircraft, which had been substituted for another that experienced a fuel leak before the flight.
The hearings, taking place at NTSB headquarters in Washington, involve discussions among board members, investigators, and representatives from Boeing, UPS, and union mechanics. A finalized report from the NTSB is anticipated to take over a year, as it will thoroughly evaluate all contributing factors.
The UPS aircraft was en route to Hawaii when it crashed shortly after liftoff, resulting in a significant fireball. Images released show the engine detaching mid-air and flames erupting from the wing.
In the aftermath, all MD-11 and DC-10 aircraft were grounded as investigations revealed similar part flaws in three other UPS planes. The incident is reminiscent of a 1979 DC-10 crash in Chicago that resulted in 273 fatalities.
Investigators found cracks in the engine mount parts of the ill-fated plane, raising concerns about maintenance protocols. Boeing had documented previous failures of similar components but did not issue mandatory repairs.
Recently, some MD-11s have returned to service following FAA approval of Boeing's revised safety measures, with FedEx resuming operations on May 10, while UPS plans to retire its fleet.