UPS and FedEx have temporarily grounded their fleets of MD-11 aircraft following a cargo plane crash in Kentucky that resulted in 14 fatalities. The MD-11 is the same model involved in the incident at a UPS facility in Louisville. The grounding decision was described by UPS as a precautionary measure made at the recommendation of the aircraft manufacturer, emphasizing the importance of safety for their employees and the surrounding community.
FedEx has similarly decided to ground its MD-11 planes while conducting a comprehensive safety review based on the manufacturer’s guidance. These aircraft represent approximately 9% of UPS’s fleet and 4% of FedEx’s.
On the date of the crash, officials confirmed the death of 14 individuals, including the flight’s captain, first officer, and an international relief officer. Unconfirmed reports suggest that as many as nine people may still be unaccounted for. Investigators noted that shortly after takeoff from Muhammad Ali International Airport, the plane’s left wing caught fire and an engine detached, leading to the crash and subsequent explosion.
The National Transportation Safety Board is currently examining the plane’s maintenance history, particularly noting that it was under repairs in Texas weeks prior to the crash. Flight tracking data indicates that the aircraft was grounded for maintenance from early September to mid-October, but details on the specific repairs completed remain unclear.
The flight recorders from the incident have been recovered and will be analyzed by investigators to gather data. UPS’s Worldport facility in Louisville, the company’s primary package handling hub employing over 20,000 workers, resumed some operations shortly after the crash, indicating they have established contingency measures to maintain service.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/08/ups-grounds-all-its-md-11-planes-after-deadly-louisville-crash