Investigators claim there were flaws in the engine mount of the UPS aircraft that crashed in Kentucky, killing 14 people.

Dramatic images of an engine falling off a doomed UPS cargo plane that crashed in Kentucky and killed 14 people were published by federal investigators

Dramatic images of an engine falling off a deadly UPS cargo plane that crashed in Kentucky two weeks ago, killing fourteen people, were revealed by federal investigators on Thursday. They also stated that there was evidence of cracks in the engine mount on the left wing.

Six images showed the engine's back beginning to separate before it shot up and over the wing while flames broke out. The next picture depicts the flaming engine flying overhead while the wing is consumed by flames. The plane is seen beginning to take off in the final picture.

However, according to the National Transportation Safety Board's first official yet preliminary assessment of the Nov. 4 accident in Louisville, Kentucky, the MD-11 airliner only lifted 30 feet (9.1 meters) off the ground, citing the flight data recorder.

Eleven more individuals were murdered on the ground close to Muhammad Ali International Airport, in addition to three pilots on the aircraft.

According to the NTSB, a thorough examination of the aircraft's fractured engine mount components was not yet necessary. Nearly 7,000 more takeoffs and landings were remained to be completed. October 2021 was the last time it was evaluated.

After reading the study, former federal crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti told The Associated Press, "It looks like UPS was doing this maintenance within the required time frame, but I'm sure the FAA is going to ponder whether that time frame is adequate."

All MD-11s grounded for now

It's unclear when the 34-year-old plane's flaws first appeared and whether the earlier examination could have overlooked them. Fatigue cracks are "normal wear and tear on an aircraft," according to John Cox, another aviation specialist.

According to him, a metal component that vibrates with each flight, such as the engine mount, will eventually shatter. Cox pointed out that the only issues are what maintenance is needed and how frequently those parts must be inspected.

The first fresh information since board member Todd Inman addressed reporters on November 7 was disclosed in the NTSB report. He claimed that approximately 37 seconds after the UPS crew requested takeoff thrust, an alarm bell went off on the cockpit voice recorder.

Sean Garber, whose auto salvage yard near the airport was directly impacted, stated, "It's one thing to be involved in a natural disaster and another thing to be involved in a man-made, human error tragedy, and that's what we believe this is."

Following the crash, all MD-11s used by UPS, FedEx, and Western Global were grounded until they could be inspected and repaired, along with a few associated DC-10s. The Federal Aviation Administration hasn't stated what will be needed.

Since those airlines were already preparing to retire the aircraft in the coming years, Cox stated that they "are going to have to make some hard decisions."

All MD-11s grounded for now

UPS will await the outcome of the mishap.

Bill Moore, president of UPS Airlines, a division of UPS, stated earlier this week that the business is collaborating with investigators to identify the primary cause of the incident.

At a press conference in Louisville, Moore stated, "They'll be able to develop an inspection plan once we determine that." "May we examine it? How can we fix that if that's the case? How can we reassemble it? Eventually, the fleet will be put back into operation. However, that won't happen right away.

According to the NTSB investigation, a similar incident occurred in Chicago in 1979 when 273 people were murdered in an American Airlines DC-10 disaster. The MD-11 was preceded by the DC-10.

According to the report, "about three feet of the leading edge of the left wing and the left engine and pylon assembly separated from the airplane and fell to the runway."

Alan Diehl, a former federal crash investigator, expressed his wish that the Federal Aviation Administration reassesses aircraft maintenance schedules and takes into account advanced techniques for examining metal rather than merely visual examinations.

Diehl stated, "It is evident that these aircraft's weakness is engine pylon attachment failures."

According to data released by Boeing every year, the MD-11 and DC-10 have some of the highest accident rates of any commercial aircraft.

More than two weeks after the tragedy, Louisville was still in grief. On Thursday night, the Louisville Orchestra was performing for free.

According to Music Director Teddy Abrams, "music brings comfort."

This article was written by Bruce Schreiner of the Louisville, Kentucky, Associated Press.