UPS Airlines Crash Investigation Reveals Fatigue Cracking and Structural Failure
The National Transportation Safety Board has released an updated investigative report into the crash of UPS Airlines Flight 2976, revealing that engine and pylon separation occurred shortly after takeoff. The NTSB found fatigue cracking in components associated with the left engine pylon attachment, which led to structural failure. Airport surveillance video shows the detachment, while the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder are being used to reconstruct the final moments of the flight. UPS has cooperated fully with the investigation, and the FAA has issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive for related MD-11 aircraft pending inspections.