At a Glance
- Boeing documented four failures of a spherical bearing race on MD-11 planes in a 2011 service letter
- The left engine and pylon separated from the UPS MD-11 on Nov. 4, killing 15 people in Louisville, Kentucky
- Boeing concluded in 2011 that the failures “would not result in a safety or flight condition”
- Why it matters: The revelation raises questions about why the known defect was not addressed before the deadliest UPS cargo crash in company history
A National Transportation Safety Board report released on Jan. 14 reveals Boeing knew about flaws in parts used to secure engines on its MD-11 aircraft 15 years before a UPS cargo plane crashed in Louisville, Kentucky, killing 15 people.
NTSB Findings Link Engine Failure to Known Defect
The NTSB’s preliminary report states the left engine and pylon separated from the wing of the 34-year-old MD-11 shortly after takeoff on Nov. 4. Investigators found fractures in the spherical bearing race, a component that connects the engine to the wing.
According to the report, Boeing issued a service letter in February 2011 documenting four failures of the spherical bearing races on three different MD-11 planes. Despite these documented failures, Boeing determined that the issue “would not result in a safety or flight condition.”
The service letter recommended assessing the spherical bearing assembly during the general visual inspection, an event that typically occurred every 60 months.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Feb. 2011 | Boeing documents four spherical bearing race failures in service letter |
| Nov. 4, 2025 | UPS MD-11 crashes in Louisville, killing 15 |
| Jan. 14, 2026 | NTSB releases preliminary report noting prior Boeing knowledge |
| Up to 24 months | NTSB estimates final crash report completion |
Crash Details
The aircraft, originally built by McDonnell Douglas before its 1997 merger with Boeing, impacted the roof of a UPS Supply Chain Solutions warehouse at the southern edge of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. The plane also struck a storage yard and two additional buildings as it fell to the ground.
A fire ignited near the left pylon attachment point after the engine separated from the wing, investigators said.
Victims Identified
The 15 victims, all aboard the flight, were:
- Capt. Dana Diamond, 62
- Capt. Richard Wartenberg, 57
- First Officer Lee Truitt, 45
- Angela Anderson, 45
- Carlos Fernandez, 52
- Trinadette “Trina” Chavez, 37
- Tony Crain, 65
- John Loucks, 52
- John Spray, 45
- Matthew Sweets, 37
- Ella Petty Whorton, 31
- Megan Washburn, 35
- Louisnes Fedon, 47
- Kimberly Asa, 3 (Fedon’s granddaughter)
- Alain Rodriguez Colina (death announced Dec. 25)
Company Responses
A Boeing spokesperson told News Of Losangeles the company continues to support the NTSB investigation and extended “deepest condolences” to the families who lost loved ones.
UPS spokesperson Jim Mayer stated the company “remains profoundly saddened by the Flight 2976 accident” and continues to focus on recovery efforts, according to The Guardian. UPS did not immediately respond to News Of Losangeles‘s request for comment.
The NTSB declined to provide additional information beyond the preliminary report.
Investigation Continues
The NTSB estimates the final crash report could take up to two years to complete. The agency continues to examine the wreckage, maintenance records, and flight data as it works to determine the full sequence of events that led to the engine separation and subsequent crash.
