It was supposed to be just another cargo flight out of Louisville, Kentucky.
UPS Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, was preparing to take off when tragedy struck.
Moments after leaving the runway, the plane’s left engine tore away from its wing, sending debris flying through the air and triggering a catastrophic fire.
The disaster claimed 14 lives—three crew members onboard and 11 people on the ground.
Horrifying Moments Captured in Images
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a preliminary report on Thursday that includes terrifying visuals of the incident.
One striking image shows the plane’s engine detaching mid-flight, followed by flames erupting from the aircraft as it struggled to stay airborne.
Witnesses described the plane rolling slightly to the left after takeoff, just before the disaster unfolded.
Investigators Examine Engine Failure
Details from the NTSB indicate that the engine separated from the pylon, the structure connecting it to the wing, as the plane accelerated down the runway.
The exact cause of the detachment is still under investigation.
A fire reportedly started on the left engine as it moved above the fuselage and then hit the ground.
Early evidence suggests that the detached engine may have punctured the fuel-filled wing, sparking the blaze.
The Plane Never Reaches Safe Altitude
Despite the flames consuming the left side of the plane, it briefly cleared the airport fence but never rose more than 30 feet above the ground.
Seconds later, the aircraft crashed in a massive fireball, leaving devastation in its wake.
Air Traffic Control witnesses noted that the plane initially took off at a normal speed, only to roll slightly left before disaster struck.
Structural Issues Uncovered
Federal investigators later examined the plane’s left pylon air mount, which secures the engine, and found fatigue cracks alongside areas showing overstress failure.
These findings may shed light on why the engine detached during takeoff.
The Human Cost
The victims of this tragedy include Louisville resident Fedon and his three-year-old granddaughter, Kimberly Asa.
Matt Sweets, 37, survived the initial explosion but succumbed to injuries after 95 percent of his body was burned.
John Spray, 45, was working at Grade A Auto Parts & Recycling when the plane crashed into the facility, killing him instantly.
His coworker, Ella Petty Whorton, 31, who also worked at the recycling business, died alongside him.
Her boyfriend, Eric Richardson, shared that the couple had been together for over a year and both collected scrap metal at the facility.
What Comes Next
The NTSB investigation is ongoing, focusing on the engine failure and structural issues of the aircraft.
Understanding how and why the engine detached will be crucial to preventing future tragedies and ensuring aviation safety for cargo and passenger flights alike.
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