NTSB Opens Fact-Finding Hearing on UPS Crash as MD-11 Fleet Returns to Service
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is launching a two-day fact-finding hearing to investigate the crash of UPS Flight 2976 last November. Investigators have focused on a cracked spherical bearing in the engine mount, a part that had failed four times previously. While FedEx has resumed flying MD-11 jets following updated Boeing protocols, UPS has accelerated plans to retire its entire MD-11 fleet.
Facts First
- The NTSB is launching a two-day hearing to investigate the UPS MD-11 crash near Louisville last November.
- Investigators found a cracked spherical bearing on the crashed plane, a part that had failed four times on other aircraft.
- Boeing warned plane owners about the bearing in 2011 but did not believe it posed a threat to flight safety at that time.
- FedEx has resumed flying MD-11 jets after safety inspections and Boeing's updated repair protocol.
- UPS will retire its remaining 26 MD-11s and replace them with Boeing 767 planes.
What Happened
UPS Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo plane, crashed shortly after takeoff near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport last November. The aircraft reached only 30 feet off the ground before crashing and exploding, resulting in the deaths of fifteen people. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released photos showing the left engine flying up and over the wing as the plane rolled down the runway. An NTSB investigative update focused on the mounting system that attaches the engine to the wing. Investigators found that a spherical bearing that cracked on Flight 2976 had failed four previous times on other planes.
Why this Matters to You
The grounding and subsequent return of a specific aircraft model could affect cargo shipping timelines and costs, as these planes are key to global logistics networks. The ongoing investigation and new repair protocols may lead to enhanced safety inspections across the aviation industry, which could contribute to safer air travel for everyone. For employees and contractors of cargo airlines, this development directly involves the safety of the aircraft they operate.
What's Next
The NTSB's two-day fact-finding hearing begins Tuesday morning, with testimony expected from witnesses from UPS, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Boeing. FedEx has reported that two of its MD-11s have returned to revenue service and more will resume flying after repairs and inspections. UPS stated its MD-11 fleet will remain grounded, and the company will replace its remaining 26 MD-11 aircraft with Boeing 767 planes.