Cockpit recordings: 'Persistent bell' went off seconds before fiery UPS plane crash
The National Transportation Safety Board, the agency investigating the UPS plane crash, revealed some of the data they've gotten from the "black box."
That device is made of two parts, including the cockpit voice recorder.
The NTSB said it was able to extract more than two hours of good audio, including what pilots said and background noises.
"In reviewing that audio, the crew completed their standard checklist and briefings in preparation for the flight. The takeoff roll was what we called uneventful," NTSB board member Todd Inman said.
Through the different speed callouts, he said that about 37 seconds after the crew called for takeoff thrust, a "persistent bell" was heard, and continued for 25 seconds until the end of the recording, he said.
Inman pointedly referred to it as a bell, and not an alarm.
"There can be numerous different types of alarms and what they may mean. Obviously, we we have a working theory right now, and we're trying to validate that against the (Flight Data Recorder), that with the corroborating evidence in regard to the video that we have is obviously leading us to we know that there was a fire. But the the call out in alarm could also be a mixture of several different things. So I don't want to speculate too far," Inman said.
During that time, he said the crew tried to control the aircraft before the crash.
The left engine caught fire and fell off sometime during takeoff, which can be seen on videos. But investigators said the pylon, which connects the engine to the wing, was still attached.
They confirmed the left engine is a focus area, saying, quote, "there is some form of cause, issue and concern."
The NTSB does not plan to speak to the media in Louisville again, but will give updates via news releases and social media.
They will be in Louisville as long as it takes to gather all the evidence they need.
