Mastodawn

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 5, 2025

"At least 3 dead, 11 injured in UPS plane crash in Kentucky and governor says numbers likely to grow" by @AssociatedPress - UPS Flight 2976 (MD-11 reg N259UP) crashed on takeoff from Louisville #KSDF. Crew killed. Injuries among people on ground. Counts expected to increase. Accident under investigation by NTSB. https://apnews.com/article/kentucky-louisville-plane-crash-report-71dd124d1971a22f122590e72cc2c73a #UPS2976 #aviation #cargo #avgeek

At least 7 dead, 11 injured in UPS plane crash in Kentucky

At least seven people are dead and 11 injured after UPS plane crashed in Kentucky. The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane crashed about 5:15 p.m. as it was departing for Honolulu from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport. Video showed flames on the plane’s left wing and a trail of smoke. The plane then lifted slightly off the ground before crashing and exploding in a huge fireball. Video also revealed portions of a building’s shredded roof next to the end of the runway.

AP News

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 5, 2025

A new Wikipedia page on the UPS Airlines Flight 2976 crash is getting updates. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UPS_Airlines_Flight_2976 #KSDF #UPS2976 #aviation #cargo #avgeek

UPS Airlines Flight 2976 - Wikipedia

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 5, 2025

"Video shows moment UPS plane catches fire, crashes at Louisville Airport" by WLWT News (NBC Cincinnati) - Video from another aircraft taxiing at Louisville Airport shows a fire on the left wing and/or engine during takeoff, and the MD-11 failing to gain altitude before the impact and fireball. The plane was fully fueled for a flight to Honolulu. Updated counts of 7 dead, 11 injured. https://www.wlwt.com/article/video-ups-plane-crash-explosion-louisville-airport/69255579 #KSDF #UPS2976 #aviation #cargo #avgeek

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 5, 2025

"Engine fell off UPS plane before deadly crash and explosion in Kentucky, the NTSB says" by @AssociatedPress - NTSB briefing on UPS 2976 crash says the left engine detached from the aircraft on takeoff and came to stop on the airfield. There is a 1/2 mile (0.8km) debris field outside the airport. The flight data recorder & cockpit voice recorder were recovered. Current total 9 dead, 11 injured - unclear if the 3 crew are included. https://apnews.com/article/ups-cargo-plane-explosion-louisville-deaths-af12da7f8611bad0bf0cb664de189250 #KSDF #UPS2976 #aviation #cargo #avgeek

Kentucky city rocked by UPS plane crash and explosion that left 7 dead

At least seven people are dead and 11 injured after UPS plane crashed in Kentucky. The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane crashed about 5:15 p.m. as it was departing for Honolulu from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport. Video showed flames on the plane’s left wing and a trail of smoke. The plane then lifted slightly off the ground before crashing and exploding in a huge fireball. Video also revealed portions of a building’s shredded roof next to the end of the runway. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear says he expects the death toll to increase.

AP News

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 5, 2025

It has occurred to many that what we know so far of the UPS 2976 crash has similarities to the 1979 American 191 crash where the left engine departed a DC-10 on takeoff, damaging the remainder of the plane into uncontrollable condition and a crash off the end of the runway. However, we still don't have info to know UPS's cause. The plane got out of minor maintenance and flew 2 flights successfully. NTSB is undoubtedly reviewing that work. #KSDF #UPS2976 #aviation #cargo #avgeek

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 10, 2025

"UPS & FedEx ground MD-11 cargo fleets as investigation continues into deadly Kentucky crash" by @USAToday - Boeing recommended and then FAA ordered grounding of MD-11 cargo planes. (Passenger models were already retired or converted to freighters.) Inspection of engine pylons are required but will not yet clear the planes back to flight, pending further investigation. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/11/08/ups-md-11-cargo-louisville-boeing/87166881007/ #UPS2976 #aviation #business #cargo #avgeek

UPS, FedEx ground MD-11 cargo fleets as investigation continues into deadly Kentucky crash

UPS and FedEx both said Boeing, the airline manufacturer, recommended grounding all MD-11s.

USA TODAY

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 15, 2025

"US FAA broadens MD-11 grounding order to remaining DC-10 fleets" by Flight Global - Due to similar engine pylon structure, the MD-11 grounding was broadened to now include DC-10/MD-10 variants including the Ten Tanker firefighting fleet and Orbis flying hospital. KC-10 military refueling tankers were also grounded by the US Air Force in a separate order. https://www.flightglobal.com/safety/us-faa-broadens-md-11-grounding-order-to-remaining-dc-10-fleets/165313.article #UPS2976 #aviation #business #cargo #avgeek

US FAA broadens MD-11 grounding order to remaining DC-10 fleets

US regulators have extended the grounding order imposed on the Boeing MD-11 to include variants of the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, owing to their similar engine pylon structure. The grounding was ordered in the aftermath of a UPS MD-11F crash in Louisville on 4 November, after the aircraft's left engine separated ...

Flight Global

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 20, 2025

NTSB released preliminary report "UPS Flight 2976 Crash During Takeoff" only 2 weeks after the accident. (Requirement is 30 days.) Preliminary report is just a status of what is known so far, no conclusions or recommendations. The left engine pylon broke when the engine departed. Fatigue cracks were found in addition to the overstress failure. The pylon mount was last inspected in 2021 and was not due for another yet. https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/DCA26MA024.aspx #UPS2976 #aviation #business #cargo #avgeek

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 20, 2025

While leaving conclusions to NTSB, the UPS 2976 preliminary report gives us an idea what comes next. NTSB will continue to look for the cause of the fatigue cracks in the pylon. Now MD-11 & DC-10 operators UPS, FedEx, Western Global, USAF, Ten Tanker, Omega and Orbis have better info what needs inspection. The economics of pulling 2 engines off each aircraft for pylon inspection may mean not all operators will return their planes to service. #UPS2976 #aviation #business #cargo #avgeek

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 28, 2025

"Fleet of UPS planes grounded after deadly crash expected to miss peak delivery season" by @AssociatedPress - MD-11s are no longer expected to return to service during the holiday cargo rush. FAA & Boeing have yet to issue findings or required inspections. So UPS is indefinitely grounding its MD-11s, 9% of its fleet. UPS contingency plans for the holidays have included hiring other cargo airlines for some loads. https://apnews.com/article/ups-md11-planes-crash-louisville-13dbb6ec286ddc966c6bd1c9f3b3627c #UPS2976 #MD11grounding #aviation #business #cargo #avgeek

UPS grounds fleet of MD-11 planes indefinitely after deadly crash

UPS Airlines has grounded its MD-11 planes indefinitely for inspections and possible repairs after a deadly crash earlier this month. An internal memo from UPS Airlines president Bill Moore on Wednesday stated that the fleet will be grounded as they work to meet Federal Aviation Administration guidelines. The process was expected to take weeks but may now take several months. An MD-11 plane crashed Nov. 4 in Louisville, Kentucky, killing 14 people. UPS intends to rely on contingency plans to deliver for customers throughout the peak season. Boeing took over as the manufacturer of MD-11s in 1997 and is working to help operators meet FAA requirements.

AP News

@ikluft @AssociatedPress That second photo in the sequence where the engine essentially takes off all by itself is crazy.

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 28, 2025

@tsturm @AssociatedPress Yeah. The security camera made a phenomenal catch there. For NTSB's investigation, it's valuable info. But the engine rotation and departure over the top of the wing is eerily like what eyewitnesses described from the AA191 crash at ORD in 1979. Something apparently broke at the rear attachment point of the engine pylon, allowing it to rotate upward before breaking away.

Thomas Sturm Nov 28, 2025

@ikluft @AssociatedPress Those bold holding the engine in place are massive. It's stunning that something like that can break, no matter how much metal fatigue is in play.

Errol Cavit Nov 28, 2025

@tsturm @ikluft @AssociatedPress If the engine gets seriously unbalanced the pylon is designed to break off (rather than have the plane shake itself apart). This proves that there is a good chance that the upper engine will lose power as well when this happens, which destroys the the ability to handle this failure at takeoff.

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 28, 2025

@ErrolNZ @tsturm @AssociatedPress It remains to be seen if the departing engine took out any hydraulic lines with it. In the 1979 AA191 crash, the loss of hydraulic lines retracted the slats on the left side, causing that wing to stall and loss of control. Though we don't have details for UPS2976 yet, the roll left-side-down is similar to that scenario.

Errol Cavit Nov 28, 2025

@ikluft @tsturm @AssociatedPress That particular failure was supposedly designed out on the MD-11. Some other failure or effect (engine not pushing up?) may have caused the roll of course. Thrust from no.2 engine not covered in initial report.

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 28, 2025

@ErrolNZ @tsturm @AssociatedPress That fire on the wing shows the engine's departure caused some kind of significant damage. We'll have to watch for what details NTSB reports.