American delivery companies UPS and FedEx have grounded portions of their cargo plane fleets following a tragic crash in Kentucky that resulted in at least 14 fatalities. The incident occurred shortly after a UPS MD-11 aircraft took off, colliding with nearby business premises and triggering a significant fire that destroyed several buildings and forced the closure of Louisville International Airport.
UPS announced that it was grounding 9% of its fleet based on recommendations from aircraft manufacturer Boeing. FedEx also indicated it would comply with this decision. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by officials.
In the hours preceding the grounding, authorities confirmed an increase in the death toll to 14, as search efforts continued in the affected structures. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg expressed condolences for the victims’ families during this difficult time.
Boeing released a statement emphasizing that its recommendation for UPS and FedEx to suspend the use of the MD-11 model was made out of “an abundance of caution.” It has committed to ongoing coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the situation.
It remains uncertain how the grounding of these aircraft will affect overall delivery operations, given that UPS and FedEx are the largest cargo carriers globally. FedEx operates 28 MD-11 aircraft, while UPS reportedly had 27 before the crash incident.
UPS assured customers that contingency plans are in place to maintain service, highlighting the priority of safety for employees and the surrounding community. The MD-11F involved in the crash, which had been in service since 1988, was carrying 38,000 gallons of fuel at the time of take-off, contributing to the severity of the resulting fire. The National Transportation Safety Board stated that the left engine had caught fire and detached during the aircraft’s ascent.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2pr5y7p90o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss