Key Takeaways:
- A faulty part on a United Parcel Service cargo plane that crashed in Kentucky last year, killing 15 people, was flagged by Boeing 14 years earlier.
- The part had failed four other times, and Boeing had noted failures with parts of the pylon, the framework that connects the engine, during four incidents on three MD-11 airplanes.
- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is still reviewing the inspection techniques used by Boeing for its MD-11 planes and the correspondence history between Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
- A final NTSB investigatory report on the UPS crash is expected to be released within the next two years.
Introduction to the Crash:
The United Parcel Service cargo plane that crashed into an industrial site in Kentucky last year, resulting in the deaths of 15 people, has been found to have had a faulty part that was flagged by aerospace company Boeing 14 years earlier. According to new findings released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the part that broke in the crash had failed four other times. The crash, which occurred on November 4, was the deadliest disaster in UPS Airlines’ history, and nearly two dozen bystanders on the ground also suffered injuries in connection with the disaster.
The Crash and Its Aftermath:
The plane, a Boeing MD-11F, was bound for Hawaii when it erupted into a ball of flames shortly after taking off from the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport at 5:15 p.m. The aircraft crashed into an industrial area, killing all three members on board and 12 others on the ground. The crash and resulting fires disrupted UPS Worldport facility operations and slowed delivery services. The incident was met with shock and sadness, and an investigation was immediately launched to determine the cause of the crash.
Boeing’s Knowledge of the Faulty Part:
In an updated six-page report released on January 14, the NTSB wrote that Boeing knew about a flagged part on the plane linked to the crash. According to a February 2011 letter to airlines, Boeing noted failures with parts of the pylon, the framework that connects the engine, during four incidents on three MD-11 airplanes, the same model as UPS Flight 2976. The MD-11 planes Boeing studied showed fatigue cracks on the pylon, similar to the cracks NTSB investigators reported in preliminary findings of the November 4 crash.
Investigation and Review:
Following its study of the airplanes with cracks, Boeing said it would update its maintenance manual to include inspections that would ensure the spherical bearing race, the part showing cracks, would remain functional. However, officials said they are still reviewing the inspection techniques used by Boeing for its MD-11 planes, how UPS incorporated the information of the Boeing letter into its own practices, and the correspondence history between Boeing and the FAA leading up to the issuance of the Service Letter and thereafter. The NTSB is working to determine whether the faulty part was a contributing factor to the crash and whether the inspection techniques used by Boeing and UPS were adequate.
Conclusion and Future Steps:
A final NTSB investigatory report on the UPS crash is expected to be released within the next two years. The report will provide a comprehensive analysis of the crash and its causes, and will likely include recommendations for improving safety procedures and protocols. In the meantime, the families of the victims and the wider community are still coming to terms with the tragedy, and are seeking answers and accountability. As the investigation continues, it is clear that the crash of UPS Flight 2976 was a devastating incident that highlights the importance of rigorous safety protocols and effective communication between manufacturers, airlines, and regulatory agencies.
