UPS and FedEx ground MD-11 planes after deadly Kentucky crash

The recent deadly crash at the UPS global aviation hub in Kentucky has prompted both UPS and FedEx to ground their fleets of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 planes. The crash, which occurred on Tuesday at UPS Worldport in Louisville, resulted in the tragic loss of 14 lives, including the three pilots on board the MD-11 aircraft bound for Honolulu. The National Transportation Safety Board revealed that the crashed plane had been altered into a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Freighter from a 1991 McDonnell Douglas 2.

Following the crash, UPS and FedEx made the decision to ground their MD-11 aircrafts, which make up approximately 9% of the UPS airline fleet and 4% of the FedEx fleet. Both companies cited a proactive approach based on the recommendation of the aircraft manufacturer for the grounding. Boeing, the company that merged with McDonnell Douglas in 1997, is currently handling the crashed plane and has not provided a detailed explanation for the recommendation to ground the fleets.

Flight records indicate that the UPS MD-11 involved in the crash underwent maintenance in San Antonio, Texas before the tragic incident. Western Global Airlines, the only other U.S. cargo airline that operates MD-11s, has already stored 12 out of its 16 MD-11s. Boeing had announced the phase-out of MD-11 jetliner production in 1998, with final deliveries scheduled for 2000.

The cockpit voice recorder captured a bell ringing in the UPS MD-11 aircraft just before the crash, signaling a potential engine fire. Witnesses described the harrowing scene of the aircraft barely lifting off the runway before crashing into businesses and erupting in a fireball. The dramatic footage from various sources provided valuable evidence for investigators to piece together the sequence of events leading to the crash.

The UPS package handling facility in Louisville, known as UPS Worldport, is the largest of its kind for the company. With over 20,000 employees in the region, handling 300 flights daily and sorting more than 400,000 packages per hour, the hub plays a crucial role in UPS operations. Despite the tragedy, UPS Worldport resumed operations the following night with its Next Day Air operation.

The investigation into the UPS MD-11 crash is ongoing, and it may take months before a full transcript of the cockpit recording is released to the public. The safety of employees and the community remains a top priority for UPS and FedEx as they conduct thorough safety reviews based on the manufacturer’s recommendation.