UPS, FedEx Ground MD-11 Fleets After Fatal Louisville Crash

URGENT UPDATE: UPS and FedEx have grounded their MD-11 planes following a tragic crash that occurred on November 7 in Louisville, Kentucky. The incident, which claimed the lives of three crew members and resulted in casualties among 11 people on the ground, has prompted immediate safety concerns for these major cargo airlines.

The accident unfolded when an MD-11 cargo jet experienced a catastrophic failure, with its engine detaching shortly after takeoff from Muhammad Ali International Airport. The aircraft, en route to Honolulu, crashed into an industrial area, igniting a significant fire that exacerbated the situation on the ground.

In response to this disaster, both carriers announced their decision to suspend all operations of the MD-11 fleet effective immediately. The measure follows a recommendation from Boeing, the aircraft’s manufacturer, which stated, “With safety as our top priority, we recommended to the three operators of the MD-11 Freighter that they suspend flight operations while additional engineering analysis is performed.” Boeing is also cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on the ongoing investigation.

There are approximately 70 MD-11 cargo planes currently in service, with UPS operating 26 aircraft, representing around 9% of its fleet. FedEx, meanwhile, has 28 MD-11s, accounting for about 4% of its total fleet. Both companies are phasing out these aircraft, but the immediate grounding highlights the urgency of ensuring passenger and crew safety.

UPS emphasized its commitment to safety in a statement, saying, “Out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of safety, we have made the decision to temporarily ground our MD-11 fleet.” Similarly, FedEx spokeswoman Heather Wilson stated, “Out of an abundance of caution, we have made the decision to immediately ground our MD-11 fleet as we conduct a thorough safety review based on the recommendation of the manufacturer.”

The MD-11 model hasn’t been used for passenger travel since its retirement in 2014, but a chilling parallel is drawn to a similar incident in May 1979, when a DC-10 was grounded after a catastrophic engine failure led to the loss of all 271 people on board. Investigators determined that improper maintenance caused the engine detachment, underscoring the critical need for rigorous safety checks.

The UPS aircraft involved in the recent incident was a 34-year-old model that first entered service with Thai Airlines in 1991 and was converted to a freighter in 2006. On a typical day, UPS operates over 300 flights from Louisville, handling around 2 million packages. FedEx’s Memphis hub manages a staggering 484,000 packages daily.

Both companies are implementing contingency plans to mitigate disruptions to their logistics networks. FedEx assures, “Contingency plans are in place to flex our integrated air and ground network to help protect time-sensitive, critical shipments such as lifesaving pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other products.” UPS echoed similar sentiments, stating that they have ground service options available to maintain shipment flow.

As investigations proceed and safety reviews are conducted, the implications of this tragic event will resonate throughout the industry, prompting heightened scrutiny of cargo airline safety protocols. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing situation.