Video: Moment When US Cargo Jet's Engine Tore Off Before Louisville Crash That Killed 15

Last Updated:May 20, 2026, 07:35 IST

The aircraft reached an altitude of only 30 to 100 feet before losing its ability to climb further. Moments later, the plane crashed, killing all 15 people on board.

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released new surveillance footage showing the moment a UPS cargo aircraft suffered a deadly mid-air structural failure seconds after take-off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.

The video, presented during the opening day of NTSB hearings in Washington, DC, captures the final moments of UPS Flight 2976 on November 4, 2025. The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F cargo jet, can be seen lifting off the runway before its left engine and supporting pylon suddenly tear away from the wing.

The dramatic footage shows the detached engine soaring above the aircraft as the jet briefly continued climbing, leaving behind a trail of debris and flames. Investigators say the separation occurred just seconds after rotation, during one of the most critical phases of flight.

According to preliminary findings released by the NTSB, the aircraft reached an altitude of only 30 to 100 feet before losing its ability to climb further. Moments later, the plane crashed, killing all 15 people on board.

The doomed flight had departed Louisville on a scheduled domestic cargo route bound for Honolulu, Hawaii. The aircraft involved, registered as N259UP, was a 34-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD-11F — a tri-engine wide-body freighter widely used in long-haul cargo operations.

Investigators examining the newly released footage noted that the take-off initially appeared routine. However, immediately after lift-off, the No. 1 engine on the left wing separated entirely, along with much of the pylon structure connecting it to the aircraft.

Further analysis of the footage also suggests the aircraft’s tail-mounted No. 2 engine may have suffered secondary damage. Video evidence appears to show bursts of flames coming from the rear engine, raising concerns that it may have ingested debris from the structural break-up or experienced severe airflow disruption caused by the fire near the wing.

During the hearing, investigators reviewed maintenance logs, flight recorder data, and structural evidence as part of an ongoing effort to determine the exact cause of the failure. Officials have not yet announced whether maintenance issues, metal fatigue, or design-related concerns contributed to the accident.

News world Video: Moment When US Cargo Jet's Engine Tore Off Before Louisville Crash That Killed 15

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