An aircraft that crashed in flames in Kentucky in November had a structural flaw that had been identified by Boeing on similar planes 15 years ago, according to investigators.
The MD-11F freighter operated by UPS crashed after one of its engines separated from the wing as it was preparing to take off from Louisville.
The plane briefly lifted off from the runway, before hurtling out of control into an industrial area, resulting in the deaths of fifteen people, including three crew members and twelve individuals on the ground.
In an update report, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that cracks found in the engine mounting assembly had been previously identified on several aircraft.
At the time, Boeing concluded that the issue would not result in a safety of flight condition.
The NTSB's latest update describes fractures due to evidence of fatigue in a critical bearing and the mounting it is meant to sit in. Boeing had previously documented failures of the same part on four occasions affecting three different aircraft. In 2011, the company had sent a service letter to operators warning them of its findings, suggesting a general visual inspection every five years.
Tim Atkinson, a former air accident investigator, described the NTSB update as disturbing, stating that the part's failure is crucial to the engine's attachment to the wing, raising significant safety concerns. Boeing has faced criticisms in recent years regarding safety protocols and quality control within their manufacturing processes.
Boing expressed condolences to the families affected and continues to support the NTSB's investigation, which remains ongoing.
