Aviation News – U.S. investigators have recovered the flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the UPS cargo plane that crashed during takeoff in Louisville, Kentucky, killing 12 people and prompting renewed scrutiny of engine safety.
The incident occurred on Nov. 4, when the wide-body jet caught fire as it accelerated down the runway. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), one of the aircraft’s three engines detached from the left wing just before the crash. The aircraft was instantly consumed by a fireball, sparking multiple fires and leaving a debris trail nearly half a mile (800 meters) long through an industrial area. The blaze spread to a petroleum recycling facility, which caught fire and later exploded.
The death toll includes all three crew members on board and nine people on the ground. Louisville airport has since reopened, although the affected runway will remain closed for 10 days.
Preliminary findings show a large plume of fire near the wing at the moment of failure. Investigators will now analyze whether structural components, such as engine mounting bolts, played a role in the detachment. The recovery of the “black box” recorders will assist in determining the sequence of events leading to the crash and the extent of any mechanical or operational issues.
“It is too early to identify the exact cause, but our teams are working continuously to examine the aircraft components and recorded data,” said Todd Inman of the NTSB. “We are committed to understanding what happened and preventing future tragedies.”
Further analysis is expected over the coming weeks, and the NTSB will release updates as findings develop. There is currently no indication that the accident is connected to the U.S. government shutdown.
The investigation will now focus on structural integrity, engine condition, and flight crew communications. The final report may take months to complete, but officials say safety recommendations will follow as soon as the facts are clear.
