All articles tagged with #md 11
At a two-day NTSB hearing, investigators said fatigue cracks in a left-pylon bearing race were flagged before the UPS MD-11 crash in Louisville that killed 15 and injured 23 on the ground, prompting scrutiny of design standards and FAA oversight as FedEx resumes MD-11 flights and UPS retires the type; the agency released thousands of documents and does not expect a final report for more than a year.
Federal safety investigators will hold hearings this week to determine why a UPS MD-11’s engine separated from the wing on takeoff from Louisville, causing a crash that killed 15 people. The NTSB will examine contributing factors, including engine-mount cracks and maintenance gaps, and how Boeing’s prior guidance on the bearings was implemented; the final report isn’t expected for over a year. Some MD-11s are returning to service after bearing replacements, while UPS plans to retire its MD-11 fleet.
The NTSB’s update on the Kentucky UPS MD-11F crash shows cracks in the engine‑mounting assembly. Boeing had identified this flaw on similar aircraft about 15 years ago and, in a 2011 service letter, told operators to perform a general visual inspection every five years and consider a revised bearing assembly—though Boeing said the issue did not pose a safety-of-flight risk. Investigators stress the engine attachment is critical and fatigue may have been involved, but the final cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
The NTSB says Boeing noted four prior failures of the MD-11’s engine-mount bearing race in 2011 but did not classify it as a safety-of-flight issue or require repairs; investigators linked the Louisville UPS crash to cracked engine-mount parts and ongoing maintenance questions on older airframes, with a final determination pending and echoes of a 1979 DC-10 disaster.
The FAA has ordered all MD-11 aircraft, used by UPS and FedEx, to be grounded following a crash, which could impact holiday deliveries depending on how long the grounding lasts. Both companies have contingency plans, but delays are possible if the grounding extends beyond a week or two.
The FAA has grounded all MD-11 aircraft following a crash involving UPS Flight 2976, which is under investigation for engine and pylon detachment issues that may affect other jets of the same type, leading to safety concerns and inspections across UPS, FedEx, and Western Global Airlines fleets.
The FAA has temporarily banned MD-11 flights following a deadly UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, which involved engine detachment and resulted in at least 14 fatalities. The order, supported by Boeing, mandates comprehensive inspections of the fleet before resumption of service, as investigations continue into the cause of the crash.
Following a deadly crash at UPS's Louisville hub that killed 14 people, UPS and FedEx are grounding their MD-11 fleets as a safety precaution, based on manufacturer recommendations, while investigations continue into the crash.
Following a deadly crash in Kentucky involving a UPS MD-11 aircraft, which resulted in a fire and significant damage, UPS and FedEx have grounded their MD-11 planes as investigations continue. The cockpit voice recorder indicated a possible engine fire, and the aircraft had undergone maintenance prior to the crash. The incident has led to a temporary halt in operations for these aircraft models, with further details expected as the investigation progresses.
Following a deadly crash at UPS's Louisville hub that killed 14 people, UPS and FedEx are grounding their MD-11 fleets as a precaution, with investigations focusing on the aircraft's safety and the circumstances of the crash, which involved a fire and engine failure during takeoff.
Following a deadly crash at UPS's Louisville hub that killed 14 people, UPS and FedEx have decided to ground their MD-11 aircraft fleets as a precaution, pending safety reviews recommended by the aircraft manufacturer. The crash involved a nearly airborne cargo plane that caught fire and crashed, with investigations ongoing into the cause, including possible engine fire signals.
The UPS cargo plane that crashed was a 34-year-old MD-11, a model still in use due to its long lifespan and the nature of cargo operations, which are less affected by fuel efficiency concerns. The crash does not appear to be related to the aircraft's age, and the MD-11, originally introduced in 1991 and converted to a freighter in 2006, remains in service with several cargo carriers despite being largely phased out of passenger service.
A UPS MD-11 freight plane crashed shortly after takeoff near Louisville, Kentucky, causing injuries and a large smoke plume, with authorities investigating the incident.