Overview
- UPS, FedEx and Western Global temporarily grounded roughly 70 MD-11 freighters following Boeing’s recommendation after the Nov. 4 crash.
- The NTSB has taken charge of the investigation and recovered the flight recorders for analysis.
- Preliminary reporting points to the left engine detaching during takeoff with debris likely affecting the tail-mounted engine, leaving only one engine producing thrust.
- The aircraft departed Louisville for Honolulu heavily loaded with cargo and fuel, with data indicating it reached about 53 meters of altitude at roughly 340 km/h before impact.
- Officials reported damage to nearby businesses including Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts, and casualty figures remain inconsistently reported.