The two global shipping giants suspend operations of their MD-11 aircraft “out of an abundance of caution” following a deadly UPS crash in Louisville that killed 14, as federal investigators and Boeing launch a joint review into the aging jet’s safety systems.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In a dramatic and precautionary move, UPS and FedEx have grounded all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo aircraft after a catastrophic crash at UPS’s Worldport hub in Louisville, Kentucky, that killed 14 people earlier this week. The decision comes at the recommendation of aircraft manufacturer Boeing, which absorbed McDonnell Douglas in 1997 and remains responsible for oversight of the aircraft’s maintenance and airworthiness advisories.
“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our employees and the communities we serve,” UPS said in a late Friday statement.
FedEx confirmed in a separate statement that it would also temporarily ground its MD-11 fleet while conducting a “thorough safety review” based on Boeing’s recommendation.
🛫 Background: The Kentucky Crash That Sparked Global Concern
The UPS MD-11 cargo plane, bound for Honolulu, went down shortly after takeoff Tuesday, erupting into a massive fireball after losing its left engine mid-ascent.
According to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Todd Inman, the cockpit voice recorder captured a continuous bell alarm just 37 seconds after takeoff thrust was initiated. The aircraft’s left wing ignited moments later, and the engine detached before the plane plowed into the ground, killing all three pilots and 11 employees on the ground.
Dramatic video footage circulating online shows the aircraft crashing into nearby businesses in a fiery explosion, providing investigators with multiple vantage points of the tragic event.
Preliminary maintenance records indicate the crashed aircraft, built in 1991, had undergone maintenance in San Antonio for over a month before returning to service in mid-October. Officials have not yet disclosed what specific repairs were performed.
🧭 Fleet Impact and Industry Implications
The MD-11 represents approximately 9% of UPS’s total fleet and 4% of FedEx’s, according to company statements. The grounding of these planes could have a temporary impact on global logistics, particularly in the overnight cargo sector during the peak holiday shipping season.
Western Global Airlines, the only other U.S. carrier operating MD-11s, reported that 12 of its 16 aircraft are already in storage.
Aviation experts have long debated the MD-11’s challenging flight characteristics, particularly during takeoff and landing. The model, phased out of production in 2000, has been involved in multiple high-profile cargo crashes over the past two decades, raising persistent safety concerns.
“They were likely past their critical decision speed to remain on the runway and stop safely,” said former FAA investigator Jeff Guzzetti. “This was a worst-case scenario for the crew.”
🏛️ Next Steps: Federal Investigation and Boeing Oversight
The NTSB has launched a full investigation into the crash's cause, working closely with Boeing engineers and UPS’s safety teams. Boeing has not yet explained the precise rationale behind its grounding recommendation, but the company emphasized its commitment to “cooperating fully” with federal authorities.
UPS Worldport, which handles more than 400,000 packages per hour and employs over 20,000 people, has since resumed limited overnight operations.
As the investigation unfolds, both UPS and FedEx are expected to face increased regulatory scrutiny and logistical challenges in maintaining shipping efficiency with reduced fleet capacity.
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-- By Robert Douglass
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