A problem with an engine part is the main reason for a fatal UPS cargo plane crash. This happened in Louisville last November. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found this. The part is in the engine mounting assembly.
The NTSB discovered cracks in a metal part and its holder. These cracks happened because of wear over time. This failure caused one engine to separate from the plane's wing. The plane then crashed soon after takeoff.
Sadly, three crew members and twelve people on the ground died. The NTSB’s investigation clearly showed the engine falling off was the direct cause. This was due to the damaged engine support structure.
Boeing, the plane maker, had a similar problem before. About fifteen years ago, Boeing found this part failing on three other planes. They sent a letter to MD-11 operators. The letter suggested checking this part every five years. It also mentioned a new part.
However, Boeing thought these failures would not cause a safety problem. The NTSB report shows the cracks got worse over time. This made the part weak. The letter from Boeing was not enough to stop the crash.
This discovery is very important. It will make people look at how Boeing checked for safety issues. It will also question if Boeing's solutions were good enough. This crash shows how important it is to check planes carefully. The aviation industry will discuss these findings.