UPS MD-11 Crash Investigation Hearings

Federal safety investigators from the United States — National Transportation Safety Board>>> have opened two days of hearings to examine the fatal crash of a United Parcel Service>>> cargo plane in November last year. The MD-11 aircraft's engine detached shortly after takeoff from United States — Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport>>>, leading to the death of 15 people. The investigation focuses on why the engine separated and why Boeing>>>, the manufacturer, did not address an underlying flaw sooner. Previous failures of engine mount parts on MD-11s were documented by Boeing>>> in 2011, but the company determined it would not result in a safety of flight condition and the United States — Federal Aviation Administration>>> did not issue a mandatory directive. Cracks were found in engine mount parts of the crashed plane that were not caught in regular maintenance. Following the crash, the United States — Federal Aviation Administration>>> approved Boeing>>>'s plan to replace spherical bearings on MD-11s and increase inspections. While FedEx>>> has resumed using its MD-11 fleet, United Parcel Service>>> plans to retire its MD-11s.