2. ANALYSIS OF ENGINE PYLON STRUCTURAL FAILURE AND ITS IMPACT ON FLIGHT SAFETY:CASE STUDY OF MD-11F (N259UP)

Abstrak

This study aims to analyze the catastrophic structural failure experienced by
a UPS McDonnell Douglas MD-11F (N259UP) cargo aircraft on November 4, 2025, in
Louisville, Kentucky. The investigation focused on the detachment of the number 1 engine
due to engine pylon failure during takeoff. Through metallurgical analysis and a review of
the NTSB investigation report, fatigue cracking in the forward mount fitting was found to be
the primary cause of the engine detachment. The results revealed gaps in routine
inspection methods for aging aircraft. The study concluded that transitioning to Structural
Health Monitoring technology and fleet modernization are crucial risk mitigation measures
for the global air cargo industry.