NewsThe GuardianMay 19, 2026United States
NTSB Investigates Cracked Part in Fatal Louisville Plane Crash
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating reports that a wing mount crack was identified before a UPS freight plane crashed in Louisville in November 2025. The accident, which involved an MD-11 aircraft, resulted in 15 fatalities and 23 injuries after the plane struck an auto parts recycling plant.
Read the full story at The GuardianWhy It Matters
This investigation highlights critical safety oversight failures that could impact future aviation maintenance standards and public safety near airports.
Key Facts
- The NTSB is reviewing evidence of pre-existing cracks in a wing mount on the crashed UPS MD-11 aircraft.
- The crash resulted in 15 total deaths, including three crew members and 12 people on the ground.
- The plane crashed into an auto parts recycling plant, causing 23 additional injuries.