# "The Engine Fell Off" | UPS Cargo Plane CRASH VIDEO Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU70Me3Qn1E Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/JU70Me3Qn1E Generated: 2025-11-11T02:33:46.267+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The UPS MD-11 cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, on November 4, 2025, resulted in four deaths and eleven injuries, stemming from a catastrophic failure where the right engine detached during takeoff, subsequently causing structural damage to the wing and potential fuel tank ignition, an event similar to the 1979 American Airlines Flight 191 disaster, suggesting possible cumulative maintenance issues over the aircraft's 34-year service history. **Key Points:** - The UPS MD-11 cargo plane (tail number N259UP) crashed on November 4, 2025, shortly after takeoff from Louisville International Airport (SDF). - The crash resulted in four confirmed deaths and eleven injuries, according to initial reports cited in the video. - The primary cause appears to be the catastrophic failure and separation of the right engine (Engine #2) from the wing. - The engine separation likely caused structural damage to the wing and potentially led to the ignition of jet fuel, as evidenced by the large fire seen in dashcam footage. - The aircraft, manufactured in 1991, had a history of short-haul domestic flights prior to the incident, suggesting potential maintenance oversight. - The incident bears similarity to the 1979 American Airlines Flight 191 crash, which also involved an engine separation during takeoff. - Footage from a truck driver near the scene shows the immediate explosion and the driver's shocked reaction. ![Screenshot at 00:03: Dashcam footage capturing the moment the right engine of the UPS MD-11 separates and explodes violently on the ground near the runway.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JU70Me3Qn1E/00-00-03.png) **Context:** The video analyzes newly released dashcam and social media footage concerning the crash of a UPS McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo aircraft, registration N259UP, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Louisville International Airport (SDF) on November 4, 2025. The discussion focuses on the physical evidence of the engine failure and compares the event to historical aviation disasters, particularly American Airlines Flight 191, to speculate on the underlying cause, which is strongly suggested to be maintenance-related. ## Detailed Analysis The video details the catastrophic failure of UPS MD-11, N259UP, which crashed on November 4, 2025, killing four people and injuring eleven. The crucial moment shown via dashcam footage (00:03) is the right engine tearing away from the wing shortly after takeoff, leading to a massive explosion and subsequent structural damage to the wing, including the potential severing of hydraulic lines and the fuselage. The narrator points out that the aircraft was 34 years old (manufactured in 1991) and its recent flight history from FlightAware showed high operational tempo, suggesting potential cumulative maintenance issues, similar to the 1979 American Airlines Flight 191 disaster. The visual evidence strongly suggests the failure was due to the engine mounting bracket or the engine inlet cowling ripping off, causing the engine to separate and subsequently damage the wing structure, leading to a loss of thrust and eventual crash. The video concludes that while formal investigation results are pending, the evidence points towards a maintenance failure rather than an unpreventable event. ### Initial Crash Evidence - Dashcam footage shows the right engine separating and exploding immediately upon departure from Louisville - Driver in a truck nearby reacts with shock as the explosion occurs - The engine casing appears ripped off, not just the turbine. ### Aircraft Details - The aircraft was a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F (tail number N259UP), manufactured in 1991, making it 34 years old at the time of the crash. ### Historical Precedent - The failure mode—an engine separating during takeoff—is compared directly to the 1979 American Airlines Flight 191 disaster. ### Maintenance History Analysis - Flight tracking data shows the aircraft was highly active, flying routes like Louisville to Tampa and Ontario, suggesting possible maintenance fatigue or overlooked issues during the six weeks prior to the accident. ### Consequences of Failure - The loss of the engine resulted in an asymmetric lift situation, loss of control authority (especially rudder control due to hydraulic line damage), and subsequent catastrophic outcome. ![Screenshot at 00:01: Split screen showing the truck's dashcam view of the yard \(left\) and the driver's reaction \(right\) just before the explosion.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JU70Me3Qn1E/00-00-01.png) ![Screenshot at 00:04: The moment of the massive fireball caused by the engine separation on the runway.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JU70Me3Qn1E/00-00-04.png) ![Screenshot at 00:07: Close-up of the truck driver's shocked reaction inside the cab to the explosion.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JU70Me3Qn1E/00-00-07.png) ![Screenshot at 01:57: Wikipedia image of the MD-11P KLM PH-KICC aircraft, illustrating the model involved.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JU70Me3Qn1E/00-01-57.png) ![Screenshot at 02:28: FAA Registry screen showing the MD-11F aircraft details, including its 1991 manufacture year.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JU70Me3Qn1E/00-02-28.png) ![Screenshot at 03:32: Image posted on social media showing the detached engine casing lying on the grass near the runway.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JU70Me3Qn1E/00-03-32.png) ![Screenshot at 07:06: KLM MD-11 image used to illustrate the three-engine configuration and the location of the failed right engine.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JU70Me3Qn1E/00-07-06.png) ![Screenshot at 10:52: Close-up of an attitude indicator in the cockpit showing severe bank and pitch deviation, indicating loss of control.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JU70Me3Qn1E/00-10-52.png) ![Screenshot at 12:34: FlightAware log showing recent flight activity for N259UP, highlighting short-haul routes before the crash.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JU70Me3Qn1E/00-12-34.png) ![Screenshot at 15:45: Image of the Kentucky Petroleum Recycling facility located near the end of the runway, highlighting potential hazard zones.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JU70Me3Qn1E/00-15-45.png)