Federal aviation authorities have grounded all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo jets following a fatal crash at the UPS global aviation hub in Louisville, Kentucky. The directive came shortly after major cargo carriers UPS and FedEx voluntarily suspended operations of their MD-11 fleets as a safety precaution.
The crash, which occurred during takeoff, claimed 14 lives, including three pilots on board the aircraft bound for Honolulu. Investigations revealed that the plane’s left engine detached during takeoff, triggering a fire that spread to the wing. The aircraft struggled to gain altitude before crashing into nearby businesses in a fiery explosion.
According to preliminary findings, an alarm sounded in the cockpit roughly 37 seconds after the crew called for takeoff thrust, signaling a potential engine fire. The pilots attempted to stabilize the aircraft but were likely beyond the safe point to abort the takeoff. The cockpit voice recorder captured the continuous alarm before the aircraft went down, and investigators continue to analyze the data to determine the exact cause.
The Federal Aviation Administration stated that the condition identified “could result in loss of continued safe flight and landing” and could exist in other aircraft of the same model. The agency ordered all MD-11 planes grounded until detailed inspections and necessary repairs are completed.
Boeing, which absorbed McDonnell Douglas in 1997, recommended that operators suspend flight operations of the MD-11 Freighter while engineers conduct further safety analysis. UPS said it made the grounding decision out of an abundance of caution, emphasizing that employee and community safety remain its top priority. FedEx also confirmed it is conducting a comprehensive safety review of its MD-11 aircraft.
The MD-11, a model introduced in the early 1990s, has long served as a workhorse for global cargo carriers, though production ceased in 2000. The grounded aircraft account for roughly 9% of UPS’s fleet and 4% of FedEx’s. Western Global Airlines, the only other U.S. carrier still operating the model, has most of its MD-11s already in storage.
The crash has reignited scrutiny over aging cargo fleets and the importance of rigorous maintenance standards. While operations at UPS Worldport have since resumed, the investigation into the cause of the tragedy continues and may take months to conclude.
