Executive Summary
- The NTSB has released a preliminary report on an in-flight fire aboard UPS Flight 5X-6972, a Boeing 747-8F.
- The incident forced the cargo plane to make an emergency return to Hong Kong International Airport shortly after takeoff.
- Newly released photos show significant fire damage to a cargo pallet that contained lithium-ion batteries.
- A probable cause has not been determined, and the NTSB’s investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report concerning an in-flight fire aboard a UPS Boeing 747-8F cargo plane. The incident, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Hong Kong International Airport, prompted an emergency return and a successful landing with no injuries to the crew. The report includes previously unreleased photographs documenting the damage.
According to the NTSB’s report, the flight crew of UPS Flight 5X-6972 received a fire warning for the main cargo deck approximately 25 minutes into their flight to Anchorage, Alaska. The crew followed emergency procedures, activated the fire suppression system, and safely navigated the aircraft back to Hong Kong.
The newly released photos show significant thermal damage to a cargo pallet and its surrounding structure. The NTSB noted that the pallet contained a shipment of lithium-ion batteries, a type of cargo known for its fire risk. Firefighting crews met the aircraft upon landing and extinguished the remaining fire.
Investigation Continues
The NTSB stressed that this report is preliminary and a final determination of the probable cause has not yet been made. The agency will continue to analyze the flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder, and physical evidence from the aircraft as part of its ongoing safety probe. A final report will be issued upon completion of the investigation.