Boeing knew part in deadly UPS plane crash had failed before, report says

Core Viewpoint - Boeing was aware of a defective part that contributed to a fatal crash involving a UPS plane, which had failed multiple times on different aircraft since at least 2011, raising serious safety concerns about the aircraft's maintenance and regulatory oversight [1][2][3]. Group 1: Incident Details - The crash occurred on November 4 last year, shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, resulting in the deaths of 15 individuals, including 12 on the ground and 3 crew members [1][2]. - The aircraft, an MD-11, was en route to Honolulu, Hawaii, and lost its left engine just 30 feet off the ground [1][2]. Group 2: Regulatory and Maintenance Issues - The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicated that Boeing had issued a warning in 2011 regarding the broken part that secures engines to the wings, but did not classify it as a safety of flight condition [2][3]. - Boeing's service bulletin did not mandate repairs, unlike a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness directive, which was not issued in this case [3]. - Operators were permitted to replace defective bearings with older, potentially unreliable parts, which raises questions about the adequacy of maintenance practices [6][7]. Group 3: Investigation and Legal Implications - The NTSB's findings are expected to be referenced in lawsuits related to the crash, with the first lawsuit already filed [9]. - The investigation is ongoing, and involved parties, including UPS, are limited in their public comments while cooperating with the NTSB [12][13].