Summary
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that Boeing knew of a flaw in a part linked to a UPS plane crash in Kentucky that killed 15 people. The flaw was found in the engine mounting assembly of the MD-11F freighter, a part Boeing had identified issues with 15 years earlier. The investigation is still ongoing, and no final conclusions have been made yet.
Key Facts
- A UPS cargo plane crashed in Kentucky, killing 15 people.
- The crash happened after one engine detached from the wing during takeoff.
- The engine mounting issue had been noted by Boeing on similar aircraft 15 years before.
- The MD-11F is an older model originally from McDonnell Douglas, which Boeing acquired in 1997.
- Boeing had previously sent a non-binding "service letter" to operators in 2011 about potential issues with this part.
- Boeing recommended periodic visual inspections every five years for the part in question.
- The NTSB found cracks in the engine attachment mechanism related to repeated stress, called "fatigue."
- Boeing is supporting the ongoing investigation by the NTSB, which hasn't finalized the cause of the crash.
