Design Highlights
- The UPS MD-11 crash was caused by a catastrophic failure of an engine mount part that had previously failed on four other aircraft.
- NTSB findings indicated flames from the left engine during detachment, suggesting an isolated issue with that specific engine mount.
- Boeing had warned about the defective engine mount part back in 2011, raising concerns about its reliability.
- Maintenance inspections prior to the crash missed crucial cracks in the engine mount parts, highlighting a neglect of safety protocols.
- The ongoing investigation focuses on the engine mount part’s failures, prompting discussions on regulatory changes and accountability in safety practices.
When a UPS MD-11 cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport in November 2025, it was a shocking reminder of how quickly things can go wrong in the skies. This tragic incident claimed the lives of three pilots on board and 12 individuals on the ground. A catastrophic failure of a vital component—an engine mount part—caused the left engine to detach as the plane hit 200 mph. Talk about a nightmare scenario. The aircraft was carrying 20,000 packages and a whopping 38,000 gallons of fuel, which didn’t help matters when it rolled over into a business complex.
The engine mount part that failed had a dubious past. It had already failed four times on other aircraft years prior. That’s right. Four failures and no one thought to take a closer look. When the NTSB released photos showing flames erupting from the rear of the engine as it detached, it was more than alarming. It was infuriating. Neither of the other two engines burst into flames before the crash, making it clear that this was an isolated issue—but a deadly one.
Four previous failures of the engine mount part went unnoticed, resulting in a catastrophic crash—infuriating and tragically avoidable.
Boeing had issued a warning back in 2011 about this very defective part. They documented the four previous failures but, for some reason, decided it didn’t warrant an immediate grounding or redesign of the MD-11. Just a little heads up, nothing too urgent, right? The plane’s lineage has had its fair share of issues, but this didn’t quite scream “fatal design flaw.” More like a “we’re-too-busy-to-fix-our-mistakes” type of problem.
Regular maintenance, as it turns out, was also lacking. Cracks in the engine mount parts were missed during inspections, which last occurred in October 2021. The next inspection wasn’t scheduled for another 7,000 takeoffs and landings. Perfect! Who doesn’t love a little gamble with safety? Concerns have been raised regarding the adequacy of the maintenance schedule as a result of these repeated failures for future aircraft reliability assessments. The investigation into the reason for the engine separation is still ongoing, adding to the uncertainty surrounding this UPS plane crash.]
The NTSB investigation is still ongoing, and while they’re focusing on the engine mount part, no final cause has been established yet. Boeing, UPS, and the FAA are keeping their lips zipped, likely hoping this all blows over. Meanwhile, UPS has emphasized recovery efforts and expressed condolences. But let’s be real: how many more warnings will it take before someone actually listens?
