Photos reveal engine detaching from UPS cargo plane ahead of Louisville accident

The National Transportation Safety Board has released detailed images showing a UPS cargo plane's left engine detaching before its fatal crash in Louisville, Kentucky, resulting in the loss of 14 lives. The photos, part of the NTSB's preliminary investigation report, highlight the engine separating from the wing and a fire breaking out as the aircraft lifted off. Tragically, three crew members perished in the crash near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on November 4. Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration has grounded all McDonnell Douglas MD-11s. The NTSB report delves into fractures in the hardware connecting the left engine to the wing, citing fatigue cracks and overstress failures. The right engine remained attached to the wing at the crash site. The aircraft only ascended to about 30 feet before plummeting into a storage yard and two buildings, including a recycling facility. Satellite images indicate the extensive debris field, extending over half a mile. Footage captured on social media depicts the plane engulfed in flames moments before it crashed, causing a significant fireball. With around 38,000 gallons of fuel onboard, the plane was en-route to Honolulu. Notably, the last UPS plane crash occurred in 2013 near Birmingham, Alabama, claiming the lives of two pilots.