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

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has disclosed airport surveillance footage capturing the moment a UPS cargo plane suffered a catastrophic structural failure shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on November 4, 2025. The video, shown during NTSB hearings in Washington, DC, depicts the McDonnell Douglas MD-11F jet (registration N259UP) lifting off before its left engine and supporting pylon detached from the wing, leaving a trail of debris and flames. The aircraft, a 34-year-old tri-engine wide-body freighter, had departed Louisville on a scheduled domestic cargo route to Honolulu, Hawaii. According to NTSB findings, the plane reached only 30 to 100 feet before losing climb capability and crashing, killing all 15 crew members. The footage reveals the engine separation occurred seconds after rotation, during a critical phase of flight. Investigators noted that the tail-mounted No. 2 engine may have suffered secondary damage, with visible flames suggesting debris ingestion or airflow disruption from the wing failure. Preliminary analysis of maintenance logs, flight recorder data, and structural evidence is ongoing, with officials yet to confirm whether maintenance issues, metal fatigue, or design flaws contributed to the accident. The NTSB continues its investigation to determine the exact cause of the failure, emphasizing the need for thorough structural and operational reviews to prevent future incidents. The incident remains under scrutiny as investigators work to piece together the sequence of events leading to the crash.