Photographic and video evidence indicates the UPS Boeing MD-11F which crashed on take-off at Louisville was on fire, after one of its engines separated from the wing during the take-off roll.
Smoke and flame appeared strongly evident from the left wing’s leading edge – in the vicinity of its GE Aerospace CF6 engine – while the jet was travelling along the runway during departure for Honolulu on 4 November.
Photographs purportedly from the scene suggest substantial engine debris, including much of the core, lying on the ground adjacent to the runway.
Video images, circulating on social media, also suggest a brief flash either from the centre tail-mounted engine or the right-hand side of the aircraft, the cause or relevance of which has not been identified.
If the aircraft had suffered a single engine failure beyond the V1 decision speed, standard practice would involve continuing the take-off rather than attempting to brake on the remaining runway – the MD-11F would have sufficient climb capability with two engines operating.
The trijet became airborne from runway 17R but appears to have been unable to gain height. It drifted left, striking a distribution centre building located some 250m off the far paved end of the runway, carving a narrow channel part-way through its roof.
It was then captured by surveillance cameras – airborne, nose-up, and wings apparently level, with its undercarriage extended – in the vicinity of Kentucky Petroleum Recycling about 350m on from the damaged distribution building.
At this point the aircraft’s left wing was engulfed in flame, possibly damaged from obstacle collision, and the jet rolled sharply to the left, inverting as it contacted the ground and broke up.
The National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched investigators to the scene of the accident involving flight 5X2976.
UPS states that it is “engaged” with the NTSB on the inquiry and “staying in close contact” with the US FAA. “We will work tirelessly with state and local authorities on response efforts,” it says, adding that it is “committed to the safety of our employees, our customers and the communities we serve”.
Meteorological data from Louisville at the time indicates no adverse weather conditions.
