On November 4th, at about 17:13 local time, a UPS Airlines MD-11F (N259UP) bound for Honolulu, flight 2976 crashed on take-off from Louisville International Airport (SDF). The 3 crew members on-board were killed.
Follow Aeronews on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Bluesky and TikTok
According to videos circulating in social media, the MD-11F seems to have lost engine number 1 (left) just prior to becoming airborne from runway 17R. The aircraft lost altitude and collided with building in the vicinity of the airport. Four people were killed on the ground and 11 more were injured. The NTSB and FAA have opened an investigation.
As per FR24, N259UP was on the ground in San Antonio from September 3 to October 18. This suggests the aircraft underwent maintenance during that period.
The aircraft was 34 years old and first delivered to Thai Airways International in 1991 for passenger service. It was converted to freighter configuration in 2006 and began service with UPS that same year. Power came from 3 General Electric CF6-80C2D1F engines.