{"id":41188,"date":"2026-05-20T14:49:03","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T13:49:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/?p=41188"},"modified":"2026-05-20T14:49:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T13:49:05","slug":"boeing-under-scrutiny-ups-md11-crash-hearing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/news\/boeing-under-scrutiny-ups-md11-crash-hearing\/","title":{"rendered":"Boeing under renewed scrutiny in NTSB probe into fatal UPS MD-11 crash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/tag\/boeing\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"79\">Boeing<\/a><\/span><\/strong> and the <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/tag\/faa\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"676\">Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)<\/a><\/span><\/strong> are facing renewed scrutiny after US investigators revealed a critical engine attachment component linked to<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/news\/ups-md-11-cargo-plane-crash-kentucky\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"31011\"> last year\u2019s fatal UPS MD-11 crash <\/a><\/span><\/strong>had shown signs of cracking and fatigue failures for more than two decades before the accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the first day of a two-day <a href=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/tag\/ntsb\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1315\">National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) <\/a>hearing this week, investigators focused on whether those earlier warning signs should have triggered stronger action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AdobeStock_526213798-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"A UPS MD-11 front shot taxiing at Boeing Field in the evening.\" class=\"wp-image-31234\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AdobeStock_526213798-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AdobeStock_526213798-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AdobeStock_526213798-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AdobeStock_526213798-1920x1080.jpeg 1920w, https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AdobeStock_526213798-640x360.jpeg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: stock.adobe.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The hearing examined whether fragmented reporting, limited FAA visibility and Boeing\u2019s classification of earlier failures as non-critical prevented the industry from recognising the seriousness of the issue before the Louisville crash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis hearing is a critical part of our ongoing investigation of the accident involving United Parcel Service (UPS) flight 2976&#8230;,\u201d NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said in her opening remarks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;ll discuss the reporting processes for anomalies found during maintenance and inspections. Then, we&#8217;ll explore the FAA and Boeing&#8217;s Continued Operational Safety programme and processes and end with communications to operators after Continued Operational Safety determinations. Tomorrow we&#8217;ll discuss Pylon Design Requirements.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<section x-data=\"PegasusMediaBlock\" \n         class=\"Media relative w-fit   \" \n         style=\"min-height: \">\n            \n                \n    <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NTSB Animation - Engine-to-Wing Attachment Design Overview and Findings\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iWkLZjJXaos?feature=oembed&#038;rel=0&#038;autoplay=&#038;mute=&#038;muted=&#038;loop=&#038;controls=0\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" class=\"video-embed max-w-full\"  frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n        \n            <\/section>\n\n\n<p>The first day&#8217;s hearing focused heavily on a small spherical bearing assembly inside the MD-11\u2019s left engine pylon structure, a component investigators now believe had been showing signs of fatigue cracking for years before the crash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UPS Flight 2976 crashed on November 4, 2025, moments after taking off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport en route to Honolulu. The left engine separated during rotation, sending the aircraft crashing into a nearby industrial area. All three crew members and 11 people on the ground were killed, while 23 others were injured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-6-xl-font-size\">Boeing had identified similar MD-11 bearing failures years before the UPS crash<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On the first day of hearings, investigators played an animation showing the engine-to-wing attachment design and how it failed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Investigators questioned whether the structural problems could have been identified much earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/news\/boeing-md-11-engine-bearing-ups-crash\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"35091\">Boeing had issued a service letter in 2011<\/a><\/span><\/strong> after several operators reported failures involving the spherical bearing race inside the MD-11 engine mount assembly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In each case, investigators said, the bearing race developed fatigue cracks and split along its circumference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Investigators disclosed that Boeing had first learned about similar failures as early as 2002 after an operator discovered a fractured outer bearing race and lug damage on an MD-11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additional failures later surfaced involving FedEx, UPS and other operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"overflow-x:auto; margin:24px 0;\"> <table style=\"width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:15px; line-height:1.5; border:1px solid #d9e3e4;\"> <thead> <tr> <th style=\"background-color:#205054; color:#ffffff; text-align:left; padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; font-weight:700;\">Date<\/th> <th style=\"background-color:#205054; color:#ffffff; text-align:left; padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; font-weight:700;\">Incident description<\/th> <th style=\"background-color:#205054; color:#ffffff; text-align:left; padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; font-weight:700;\">Reported to FAA?<\/th> <\/tr> <\/thead> <tbody> <tr> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top; font-weight:700;\">2002<\/td> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top;\">First reported MD-11 pylon failure included a full fracture of the bulkhead, along with lug separation and internal bore damage. This instance was only reported to Boeing.<\/td> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top;\">No<\/td> <\/tr> <tr style=\"background-color:#f6f9f9;\"> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top; font-weight:700;\">2007<\/td> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top;\">Two separate fracture instances were reported in September and August 2007, one from UPS and another from FedEx.<\/td> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top;\">Partial \u2014 only one reported<\/td> <\/tr> <tr> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top; font-weight:700;\">2007<\/td> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top;\">Boeing initiated Continued Operational Safety procedures, taking its first look at the MD-11 pylon safety issue.<\/td> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top;\">N\/A<\/td> <\/tr> <tr style=\"background-color:#f6f9f9;\"> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top; font-weight:700;\">May 2008<\/td> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top;\">Boeing issued an initial service letter advising increased inspections of the MD-11 bearing, but noted there was no concern for flight safety.<\/td> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top;\">N\/A<\/td> <\/tr> <tr> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top; font-weight:700;\">July 2008<\/td> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top;\">UPS reported a separated staking ring on a pylon to Boeing. Boeing treated this as a \u201cone-off\u201d rather than an indication of a wider issue and initiated another COS review.<\/td> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top;\">No<\/td> <\/tr> <tr style=\"background-color:#f6f9f9;\"> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top; font-weight:700;\">October 2008<\/td> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top;\">FedEx reported another fractured pylon to Boeing and the FAA.<\/td> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top;\">Yes<\/td> <\/tr> <tr> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top; font-weight:700;\">February 2009<\/td> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top;\">Another operator reported fractured bearings on both wings to Boeing.<\/td> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top;\">No<\/td> <\/tr> <tr style=\"background-color:#f6f9f9;\"> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top; font-weight:700;\">February 2011<\/td> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top;\">Boeing issued a revision to its 2008 service letter, emphasising increased inspections on MD-11 bearings and recommending replacement.<\/td> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top;\">N\/A<\/td> <\/tr> <tr> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top; font-weight:700;\">2017\u20132022<\/td> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top;\">FedEx reported four separate bearing fractures on its MD-11s. One was reported to both Boeing and the FAA, one only to Boeing, one only to the FAA and the last instance was not reported at all.<\/td> <td style=\"padding:12px 14px; border:1px solid #d9e3e4; vertical-align:top;\">Partial<\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-5-xl-font-size\">Most MD-11 bearing failures were never reported to the FAA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The board heard that Boeing ultimately redesigned the bearing to remove the lubrication groove where fatigue cracks were originating, but continued to treat the issue through service letters rather than more urgent mandatory directives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The NTSB investigation has now identified at least 10 in-service incidents involving aft-mount spherical bearing failures before the Louisville crash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"958\" height=\"611\" src=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-16-at-13.22.56.jpeg\" alt=\"Fatigued and cracked bearing mount involved in UPS MD-11 engine separation\" class=\"wp-image-35092\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-16-at-13.22.56.jpeg 958w, https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-16-at-13.22.56-300x191.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-16-at-13.22.56-768x490.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 958px) 100vw, 958px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image: NTSB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Only four of those incidents were formally reported to the FAA, raising fresh questions over how safety-critical information was shared between Boeing, operators and regulators before the fatal accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That reporting gap emerged as one of the hearing\u2019s most significant revelations, with investigators examining whether incomplete FAA visibility prevented the industry from recognising the seriousness of the issue sooner.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"flex flex-wrap items-center justify-start -mx-2 mt-6\">\n                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/news\/how-many-md11\"  class=\"btn-ocean  mx-2 my-2  flex items-center flex-row \">\n                                        <span class=\"sr-only\">Read next: Iconic trijet &#8211; How many operational MD-11 are left?<\/span>\n                    <span>Read next: Iconic trijet &#8211; How many operational MD-11 are left?<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n        \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-6-xl-font-size\">UPS says Boeing classified MD-11 bearing failures as a non-safety issue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Testimony from UPS engineering officials suggested operators may not have fully understood the seriousness of the defect because of Boeing&#8217;s assessment language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UPS Senior Director of Engineering David Springer told investigators the company relied heavily on Boeing&#8217;s determination that the failures were not considered flight safety issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"712\" src=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-16-at-13.22.42-1024x712.jpeg\" alt=\"Diagram showing location of the failed bearing involved in the UPS MD-11 crash\" class=\"wp-image-35093\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-16-at-13.22.42-1024x712.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-16-at-13.22.42-300x209.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-16-at-13.22.42-768x534.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-16-at-13.22.42.jpeg 1136w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Diagram showing location of the failed bearing involved in the UPS MD-11 crash. Image: NTSB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;re relying on the data that&#8217;s out there, and what kind of determination is made on whether it was safety or it\u2019s not safety,\u201d Springer testified. \u201cIn this case, it came through the service letter with an explicit notation that it would not be a safety of flight condition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He added that if UPS had understood the extent of the cracking and structural damage being discovered over the years, the company would likely have approached the issue differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat started this on the wrong trajectory to begin with,\u201d Springer said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-6-xl-font-size\">FAA says earlier MD-11 cracking reports may have changed safety assessment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The hearing also placed fresh scrutiny on the FAA&#8217;s oversight process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Investigators revealed the agency was unaware of some earlier lug cracking events tied to the MD-11 pylon structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>FAA official Dr Melanie Violette testified that knowledge of actual lug cracking, rather than just bearing failures, may have altered the agency&#8217;s earlier safety assessment of the aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI believe that would have changed the safety determination,\u201d Violette told investigators during the hearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Western-Global-Airlines-Md-11-1024x512.jpeg\" alt=\"Western Global Airlines Md-11\" class=\"wp-image-32514\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Western-Global-Airlines-Md-11-1024x512.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Western-Global-Airlines-Md-11-300x150.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Western-Global-Airlines-Md-11-768x384.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Western-Global-Airlines-Md-11.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: Western Global Airlines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>That testimony intensified questions over how safety data moved between Boeing, operators and regulators over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Investigators are now examining whether fragmented reporting, inconsistent classifications and limited FAA visibility prevented the industry from recognising the seriousness of the issue before the fatal accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-6-xl-font-size\">Investigators reconstruct how the MD-11 engine separated during takeoff<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>During the proceedings, the NTSB released animations and surveillance footage reconstructing the failure sequence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Investigators explained how fatigue cracks formed around a quarter-inch lubrication groove inside the spherical bearing race. Over time, the outer race fractured into pieces, creating abnormal loads on the engine pylon lugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"reddit-embed-bq\" style=\"height:500px\" data-embed-height=\"563\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/aviation\/comments\/1thly18\/ntsb_releases_airport_surveillance_video_from_the\/\">NTSB releases Airport Surveillance Video from the UPS crash in Louisville on November 4th, 2025. (\ud83c\udfa5 Source: NTSB)<\/a><br> by\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/user\/Brilliant_Night7643\/\">u\/Brilliant_Night7643<\/a> in\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/aviation\/\">aviation<\/a>\n<\/blockquote><script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/embed.reddit.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"UTF-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>The<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/news\/ups-md11-engine-loss-ntsb-preliminary-report\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"32059\"> lug structure eventually fractured during takeoff rotation<\/a><\/span><\/strong>. That allowed the left engine to rotate upward around the forward mount before separating completely from the aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Airport surveillance footage shown during the hearing captured the engine detaching as the aircraft lifted off. The aircraft quickly lost control before crashing into warehouses near the airport perimeter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-5-xl-font-size\">Controllers responded within seconds after the crash<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Separate factual reports released during the hearing detailed the immediate response inside Louisville&#8217;s control tower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the NTSB timeline, the aircraft was cleared for takeoff at 1711 local time for an RNAV departure to Honolulu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The final ADS-B target was recorded at 1713:31.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>About 30 seconds later, the airport crash phone was activated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"365\" src=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/UPS-MD-11-engine-sepatarion-NTSB-1-1024x365.jpeg\" alt=\"UPS MD-11 engine separation NTSB (1)\" class=\"wp-image-32066\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/UPS-MD-11-engine-sepatarion-NTSB-1-1024x365.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/UPS-MD-11-engine-sepatarion-NTSB-1-300x107.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/UPS-MD-11-engine-sepatarion-NTSB-1-768x274.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/UPS-MD-11-engine-sepatarion-NTSB-1.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: NTSB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Controllers immediately closed the airport and directed emergency vehicles towards the crash site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The NTSB&#8217;s air traffic control report concluded that controllers acted in accordance with established procedures and responded promptly after the accident.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"flex flex-wrap items-center justify-start -mx-2 mt-6\">\n                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/news\/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-10-md-11-differences\/\"  class=\"btn-ocean  mx-2 my-2  flex items-center flex-row \">\n                                        <span class=\"sr-only\">Also read: What\u2019s the difference between the MD-11 and the DC-10?<\/span>\n                    <span>Also read: What\u2019s the difference between the MD-11 and the DC-10?<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n        \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-6-xl-font-size\">MD-11 fleet gradually returns to service after Louisville crash<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The crash renewed scrutiny of the ageing MD-11 cargo fleet, which remains in service with a small number of freight operators worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/news\/ups-retires-md-11-fleet-deadly-kentucky-crash-killed-14\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"35678\">UPS has since retired its MD-11 fleet<\/a><\/span><\/strong> following the accident, other operators remain heavily reliant on the tri-jet freighter. Following the FAA&#8217;s lifting of the grounding, <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/news\/fedex-express-md-11-return-to-service-test-flight\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"40819\">FedEx and a handful of other operators are beginning to bring the fleet back into service.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Boeing inherited responsibility for continued MD-11 airworthiness after acquiring McDonnell Douglas in 1997.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second day of hearings is expected to focus further on the aircraft&#8217;s pylon structure, Boeing&#8217;s engineering analysis and the FAA&#8217;s certification oversight process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The NTSB has not yet determined a probable cause for the accident. The broader investigation is expected to continue for several more months.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"flex flex-wrap items-center justify-start -mx-2 mt-6\">\n                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/air-transport-news\/\"  class=\"btn-stealth  mx-2 my-2  flex items-center flex-row \">\n                                        <span class=\"sr-only\">Get all the latest commercial aviation news on AGN here.<\/span>\n                    <span>Get all the latest commercial aviation news on AGN here.<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n        \n\n\n<p><em>Featured image: Bj\u00f6rn Wylezich \/ stock.adobe.com<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Standfirst<br \/>\nBoeing and the FAA are facing renewed scrutiny after investigators revealed a critical MD-11 engine attachment component linked to the fatal UPS Flight 2976 crash had shown signs of fatigue cracking for more than two decades before the accident.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":31012,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[66,10449,6],"tags":[79,10430,676,10425,1315,3277],"class_list":["post-41188","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-air-transport","category-safety","category-trending-articles","tag-boeing","tag-dc-10","tag-faa","tag-md-11","tag-ntsb","tag-ups"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Boeing under scrutiny in fatal UPS MD-11 crash hearing<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"An NTSB hearing into the fatal UPS MD-11 crash is examining whether Boeing and the FAA missed years of warning signs.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, 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