NTSB Reveals Boeing’s Awareness of Defect in Fatal Louisville UPS Crash
The investigation into the tragic UPS Flight 2976 crash in Louisville revealed significant findings related to Boeing’s knowledge of defects. The crash occurred on November 4, 2025, leading to the loss of fifteen lives, including three pilots.
NTSB Findings on Boeing’s Awareness of Defect
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that a key defect in the engine of the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 was previously acknowledged by Boeing. However, Boeing asserted that this issue did not pose a “safety of flight condition.” Investigators identified fatigue cracking and an overstress failure in the bearing race connected to the left engine of the aircraft.
Key Details of the Crash
- Date: November 4, 2025
- Aircraft Model: McDonnell Douglas MD-11
- Incident Time: Approximately 5:15 PM
- Takeoff Destination: Honolulu from UPS Worldport
- Fatalities: 15, including 3 pilots
Just seconds after takeoff, as the plane attempted to climb, a warning bell sounded in the cockpit. This alarm persisted for 25 seconds while the pilots struggled to manage the increasingly dire situation. Notably, the left wing of the aircraft was engulfed in flames, and the left engine had detached before the plane crashed approximately 30 feet off the ground.
Boeing’s Service Letter and Subsequent Actions
A Boeing Service Letter, dated February 7, 2011, revealed that the company was aware of four previous defects in the bearing race across three aircraft. Despite these concerns, Boeing stated that regular inspections of MD-11 airplanes would include checks of the bearing assembly, scheduled every 60 months. However, the installation of the original parts remained permissible.
Continuing Investigations and Impacts
The NTSB is currently reviewing several aspects related to the incident, including:
- The incorporation of inspections of the bearing assembly.
- How UPS implemented the service letter into its maintenance protocols.
- The communication between Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before and after the 2011 letter.
In the aftermath of the crash, UPS and FedEx temporarily grounded their fleets of MD-11 aircraft as a precaution. The FAA issued directives for further inspections, which led to an ongoing review of the planes involved. Legal actions against UPS, General Electric, and Boeing are still pending as cleanup efforts continue in the affected area.
