The recent crash of a UPS cargo plane in Louisville, which resulted in 15 fatalities and numerous injuries, has brought attention to the safety of MD-11 and DC-10 aircraft. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is holding two days of hearings to investigate the cause of the crash and why Boeing failed to address an underlying flaw sooner. The engine of the plane separated from the wing as it accelerated down the runway, causing a massive fireball and crash into nearby businesses. The NTSB has released over 2,000 pages of documents related to the disaster, revealing that the plane was pressed into service after a fuel leak sidelined the original plane. The flight crew shared good-natured banter with the maintenance team during the second pre-flight inspection, indicating a sense of urgency and pressure. The hearings involve rounds of questions and answers among board members, investigators, and representatives of Boeing, UPS, the mechanics' union, and other parties. The NTSB's final report is expected to take over a year to complete, as it will examine every potential factor. The crash is reminiscent of a 1979 DC-10 crash in Chicago, where the left engine also fell off, killing 273 people and leading to the worldwide grounding of 274 DC-10s. However, the NTSB determined that the crash was not caused by a fatal design flaw, but rather by maintenance workers' improper use of a forklift to reattach the engine. Nevertheless, the incident raises concerns about the safety of MD-11 and DC-10 aircraft, as similar part flaws were found in three other UPS planes and a DC-10. The NTSB has found cracks in the engine mount parts, which were not caught in regular maintenance, raising questions about the adequacy of the maintenance schedule. Boeing had documented four previous failures of a part that helps secure the MD-11's engines to the wings in 2011, but determined that it would not result in a safety of flight condition. The service bulletin issued by Boeing did not require repairs, and the FAA did not issue a directive. The NTSB's findings highlight the importance of regular and thorough maintenance, as well as the need for manufacturers to address potential flaws in their designs. The MD-11s have now returned to the skies after the FAA approved Boeing's plan to replace the spherical bearing on each aircraft and increase inspections. However, UPS plans to retire its fleet of MD-11s, while FedEx has resumed using the planes to deliver packages. The future of MD-11s remains uncertain, as some experts speculate that the repair may be too expensive to justify for older planes. The crash has raised important questions about the safety of these aircraft and the responsibility of manufacturers to address potential flaws. The NTSB's hearings and investigation will play a crucial role in determining the cause of the crash and preventing similar incidents in the future.
