Cracked part had been flagged ahead of Kentucky plane crash that killed 15 people

Key Points:

• The NTSB is investigating cracks in a wing mount on a UPS MD-11 freight plane before its left engine detached during takeoff in Louisville, Kentucky, in November, causing a crash that killed 15 people, including three crew members and 12 on the ground.
• The investigation found fatigue cracks in the bearing race, a support structure connecting the left pylon to the wing and engine, with prior reports of similar cracks on MD-11 planes over the past decade.
• The NTSB hearing is reviewing the design requirements of these components and FAA oversight, while FedEx has resumed flying its MD-11 fleet after an FAA ban was lifted following the UPS crash.
• The NTSB released videos showing the engine detachment and crash, and families of victims attended the hearing seeking answers; the agency plans to call witnesses including Boeing representatives, with a final report expected over a year after the crash.
• Additional documents revealed the crashed plane was used as a substitute for another with a fuel leak, and the flight crew had interacted positively with maintenance staff before the fatal flight.