UPS Airlines Flight 2976
A cargo MD-11 lost its left engine and pylon during takeoff. It failed to climb clear of buildings south of Louisville's airport.
Incident date:
LEVEL 2 Preliminary findings
Causes
Takeoff in airline accidents
Official investigators identified takeoff in 2 of the incidents we cover, in 2025. Each account explains how it arose in that case. A shared topic does not mean the same cause.
Last updated
| Date | Flight | Aircraft | Location | Fatalities | Report status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 November 2025 | UPS Airlines Flight 2976 | McDonnell Douglas MD-11F | Runway 17R departure, Louisville Muhammad Ali International | 15 including the later ground death; NTSB main tables list 14; 3 crew; no onboard survivors; 12 including a victim who died 51 days later | LEVEL 2 Preliminary findings |
| 26 July 2025 | American Airlines Flight 3023 | Boeing 737-8, MAX 8 | Runway 34L, Denver International Airport, Colorado | No reported passenger or crew injuries | LEVEL 3 Final report |
American Airlines Flight 3023
Thermal relief plugs released tire pressure during takeoff. The left wheels failed, the aircraft tilted, and smoke and fire prompted an evacuation.
Incident date:
LEVEL 3 Final report