After deadly Louisville UPS crash, FAA grounds 2 more types of aircraft. Here’s why
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- FAA issues emergency directive grounding MD-10 and DC-10 aircraft pending inspections.
- Directive cites similar engine-pylon design to MD-11 UPS plane that crashed.
- NTSB investigates crash; FAA warns condition could cause loss of flight safety.
The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded two more models of airplanes that may have similar components and failures to that of the UPS aircraft that crashed, killing 14 people, in Louisville earlier this month.
The FAA sent an emergency airworthiness directive Friday to owners of MD-10 and DC-10 aircraft, requiring the planes be grounded until they undergo inspections and any necessary repairs. The directive said the engine-pylon structure of both types of aircraft is similar in design to the MD-11 UPS plane that crashed near Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville Nov. 4.
The left engine and pylon of the UPS plane detached during takeoff, causing the plane to crash into multiple businesses near the airport. The crash left the three-man crew and 11 others dead.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. In its most recent news conference, board member Todd Inman said a “repeating bell” was heard on the plane’s cockpit recording only seconds before it crashed.
The FAA said the unsafe condition is “likely to exist or develop” in planes with a similar engine-pylon structure, and the condition could result in loss of continued safe flight and landing. The new directive affects 10 additional U.S.-registered airplanes.
The federal agency previously ordered all MD-11 and MD-11F aircraft to be grounded until further inspection. MD-11s make up about 9% of UPS Airlines’ fleet and are the largest three-engine, wide-body airliners in the world.
