Overview
- The NTSB hearing, which began Tuesday, showed airport video of UPS Flight 2976’s left engine and pylon tearing off just after liftoff in Louisville, where 15 people died.
- Investigators highlighted fatigue cracks in the left pylon’s bearing race and overstressed lugs that anchor the engine to the wing, and documents list 10 earlier, similar flaws with only four reported to the FAA.
- Records detail recent work on the accident jet’s pylon in San Antonio, and a UPS audit launched days later found 11 issues at the shop, including training gaps and parts signed off with visible defects.
- Newly released files say UPS switched to the accident aircraft only hours before departure after a fuel leak grounded the first jet planned for the Hawaii run.
- After reviewing Boeing’s inspection and repair plan, the FAA cleared MD-11s to fly and FedEx resumed some flights on May 10, while UPS retired its MD-11s and the NTSB’s final report remains months away.