New images show engine flying off before UPS cargo plane crash

November 21, 2025

A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville, Kentucky on November 4, resulting in 14 fatalities and 23 injuries when its engine detached from the wing and exploded. Federal investigators discovered that critical inspection tasks for the aircraft's engine mounts were overdue, and the plane had exceeded its scheduled maintenance threshold by nearly 22,000 cycles without completing required detailed examinations. The National Transportation Safety Board found evidence of fatigue cracks and overstress failures in the engine mounting system, along with a fractured bearing.

Who is affected

14 people killed (3 crew members aboard the plane and 11 people on the ground)
23 people injured
Residents within five miles of the Louisville airport (subject to shelter-in-place order)
UPS (cargo plane owner/operator)
Kentucky National Guard (called to assist)
Governor Andy Beshear (declared state of emergency)

What action is being taken

The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation into the crash
Officials are examining the recovered cockpit flight recorder and flight data recorder (black box) at a secure facility
The investigation remains ongoing

Why it matters

This crash highlights critical aviation safety concerns regarding maintenance compliance and inspection procedures. The failure to complete mandatory detailed inspections at the scheduled 29,200-cycle threshold—with the plane operating nearly 22,000 cycles beyond that point—reveals potentially systemic maintenance oversight issues that could affect other aircraft. The catastrophic nature of the engine separation, combined with the significant loss of life including ground casualties, underscores the importance of rigorous adherence to maintenance schedules and the far-reaching consequences when safety protocols are not followed.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC