What Happened
Cargo Flight Crash Investigation Uncovers Structural Failure Details
The National Transportation Safety Board has released a new investigative update into the crash of UPS Airlines Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F cargo flight that crashed near Louisville, Kentucky, on November 4, 2025. The update provides additional detail on the structural failure that occurred shortly after takeoff, including the separation of the left engine and pylon from the wing. The NTSB found fatigue cracking in components associated with the left engine pylon attachment, and airport surveillance video captured the engine and pylon detaching from the wing. The investigation remains ongoing, with the NTSB examining maintenance history, inspection records, and certification standards related to the engine pylon structure. This update was first reported by AeroTime.