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NTSB Briefing Reveals CVR Data in UPS Jet Crash

Bell was heard in the cockpit 37 seconds into the plane’s takeoff roll.

Friday, November 07, 2025 at 05:11 PM ET

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UPS MD-11 [Credit: Shutterstock/Austin Deppe]

Key Takeaways:

The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) revealed a repeating bell sound 37 seconds into takeoff, continuing for 25 seconds as the crew attempted to control the aircraft before the crash.
The investigation's primary focus is the No. 1 engine, with preliminary findings indicating the bulk of its pylon was still attached when it separated from the wing.
The death toll has risen to 13, including the three crew members, with recovery efforts ongoing in a complex crash site involving an auto yard and petroleum company.
The NTSB will form a CVR expert group, collaborate with UPS for MD-11 familiarization, and conduct a thorough investigation prioritizing both evidence and human remains.

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The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) of the UPS cargo jet that crashed in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday revealed the sound of a bell heard in the cockpit 37 seconds into the takeoff roll.

This was part of the information released by Todd Inman, board member for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) at Friday’s media briefing. Inman was joined by Chihoon Shin, the agency investigator in charge of the investigation.

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.