Weird but the videos disappeared …
I’ll be back with an update BUT the scene was brutal! No doubt a lot of packages will be lost! Loaded with fuel … 
9 Likes
From the video I will guess the pilot and any other people on the plane did not stand a chance of surviving that fireball. 
4 Likes
Fortunately only 3 crew members is what I heard reported.
I saw a building also that had the roof with a long drag looking damage spot.
3 Likes
Ykes, that is a lotta fire.
3 Likes
It was headed to HI … so loaded up on fuel.
Just saw a full video of my screen grabs with sound. A passenger in another plane video’d the takeoff (which leaves me wondering how the building roof damage) and the engine was on fire. Then came the explosion …
2 Likes
Found a link to the video on FB.
2 Likes
UPS has a great accident investigation team. At least being in the United States, the details will be plentiful and educational so corrective action can be taken.
If I had to bet, they probably lost that #1 engine just after V1 ( simply put, the point where the aircraft reaches a speed where there is not enough runway remaining to stop, so you take the emergency into the air) and the loss of thrust wouldn’t let them stay airborne with any induced or mechanically actuated drag if systems started to fail like hydraulics, structural loss/damage.
Very sad..
8 Likes
Given that they appear to be coming back to a runway, I would guess the pilot made a decision to get as close as possible to try and avoid killing a LOT of people on the ground if they hit a subdivision.
1 Like
No, it was on initial takeoff. It crashed at the departure end of the active runway. ADSB history shows it was only airborne for a short period.
An MD-11 like all other commercial aircraft can still get off the ground fully loaded and maintain flight with a single engine failure at V1. It is built into the takeoff data when you calculate your takeoff/rotate/climb speeds.
I am obviously guessing, but its more than an engine fire and loss of thrust, to bring down the entire aircraft, if the other 2 engines were still producing their rated thrust. The scenario of catastrophic engine loss at V1, is hammered in the simulator over and over and over, and UPS pilots are not rookies on the MD-11.
If they were going back around to a runway they would have already been dumping gas all over Louisville to get the weight down.
Sadly they lost their lives in this tragedy, but from an aviation safety perspective I am glad this was not a passenger aircraft with several hundred souls.
9 Likes
Assuming this is not AI or manipulated, this is the #1 (left) engine sitting on the side of the runway. Clearly catastrophic uncontained engine loss if this image is true at the absolute worst possible timing. Aerial photos show parts of the engine cowling strewn about the departure end of the runway.
8 Likes
I had heard that they left an engine on the ground, I had not seen pictures yet.
NOTE: While this flight was headed towards HI, this tragedy will impact ALL FLIGHTS in and out of the hub. Expect delays. Remember, if shipped with Amazon buy shipping and scanned on time your metrics should be covered.
5 Likes
Oh my gosh, how did anyone survive that! Horrible
2 Likes
This AM the report was 9 dead, about 11 injured and 16 unaccounted for.
Some additional pics … and video.
(1:15 in)
5 Likes
So many things to learn. An MD-11 “should” be able to still climb out with one engine missing. I am curious as to if/what additional systems were damaged, actions taken by pilots or automation, additional drag or reduced thrust from the two remaining engines.
A lot was learned from the DC-10 Flight 191 in Chicago and Flight 232 in Sioux City and many upgrades to make the MD-11/MD-10 family quite safe today decades later.
5 Likes
Not that it’s a comfort to grieving families, but at least it seems the crash was caused by mechanical failure or pilot error. Thankfully, not to be blamed on the “sick-ins” of the traffic controllers(not that I blame ‘em) who aren’t getting paid due to the gov. shut-down.
Call me a coward but I’m not getting on a plane until the towers are better staffed w/ fewer flight cancellations/delays! From what I hear, the towers are skimpily covered at best! The FAA needs to revamp outdated equipment and hire more controllers as retirements/disabilities thin its ranks .A stressful job that deserves to be paid better (I hope this isn’t too political!)
I have no dear ones in aviation but I do know several commercial/private pilots-who are concerned about the present situation!
7 Likes
You are not a coward for being concerned, but I will tell you that the system is redundant enough that the odds are that you are still overwhelmingly more likely to die driving on your way to the airport than on any commercial airline in our lifetime.
Your concern is valid, but you are safer today than 2+ decades ago by a lot. Even more so now, that everyone gets a colonoscopy via TSA prior to each flight. You get to your destination faster, and screened for colon, breast, testicular and melanoma cancers all at the same time.
This is how many fights are currently going on as I write this…
9 Likes
Can we file a class action forcing them to send those results to our Primary Physicians? It could save a bunch of visits to the Doctor for me…
7 Likes
I mean they should. That way UPS can stop sending me the poop in a box kit.
2 Likes
Where were the other victims?
The early report I heard said the crew was only 3 souls.
2 Likes
On the ground beyond the airport where the fireball and debris rained.
6 Likes