According to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Boeing knew of the structural defects that caused a UPS plane to crash in Louisville this past November. The crash ultimately killed fifteen people, with numerous others having required medical attention. Questions remain as to whether Boeing did enough to prevent this crash, or if more should have been done to identify and address the issues that led to the accident.

NTSB Attributes Cause of Crash to Fractured Engine Mount

According to the NTSB report, the deadly UPS plane crash that occurred on November 4, 2025, was the result of a cracked engine mount, which caused the engine to detach mid-flight. The three crew members on board the plane were killed in the crash, as were twelve people on the ground. The investigation found that Boeing knew of the possibility that these cracks could develop, but failed to do anything to address it.

Boeing Knew of This Defect, But Thought It Was Not a Problem

In at least four other instances, similar cracks had developed on the engine mount of the same model of planes. However, Boeing determined that these fractures “would not result in a safety of flight condition,” meaning that they seemed to believe it was still safe to fly. As a result, the plane went into flight with the cracks not repaired, contributing to the crash occurring.

Questions Arise About Maintenance Schedule

The NTSB report also brings into question whether Boeing’s and UPS’ recommended maintenance and inspection schedule is suitable for ensuring flight safety. For example, the cracked engine mount was previously inspected back in October 2021, four years before the accident, but it was not due to be inspected again for almost another two years under UPS policy. More frequent inspections might have discovered the issue earlier and addressed it before it caused an accident.

Why This Matters

Flying in an airplane is generally pretty safe, but only if the plane is well-maintained and the people operating it are following appropriate safety regulations. When manufacturers and airplane operators get complacent, the results can be catastrophic. That is why it is important to hold them accountable when their negligence results in disaster, so that future incidents are less likely to occur.