UPS and FedEx have decided to ground their McDonnell Douglas MD-11 planes. This precaution follows a tragic crash at UPS’s global aviation hub in Louisville, Kentucky, which claimed the lives of 14 people, including the three pilots aboard the MD-11 headed for Honolulu.
The plane, a 1991 model modified into a freighter, was part of a small percentage of the fleets for both companies—about 9% for UPS and 4% for FedEx. In response to the incident, UPS stated it prioritized safety and acted on the manufacturer’s recommendation to ground the aircraft. FedEx echoed this, saying it would conduct a thorough safety review.
Boeing, which merged with McDonnell Douglas in 1997, also advised the grounding out of caution. They assessed all information from the crash and determined more engineering analysis was necessary before resuming operations. Currently, about 70 MD-11s are still in service, mainly with FedEx, UPS, and Western Global Airlines.
The recent crash raises questions about maintenance and safety protocols in aviation. The MD-11 had undergone maintenance for over a month before the accident, but details on the work conducted remain unclear.
Witnesses reported a chaotic scene as the cargo plane attempted to lift off. In its final moments, a warning bell sounded in the cockpit. This alarm, which experts suggest may have indicated an engine fire, rang 37 seconds after takeoff thrust was called. Investigators are still working to understand the cause of the crash and the pilots’ possible options during that critical moment.
Former crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti noted that the timing of the alarm likely meant the pilots could not safely abort their takeoff. The ASB’s investigation will take months, and the public will have to wait to hear the cockpit recordings.
Dramatic footage captured the plane crashing into nearby businesses, igniting a fireball that witnesses described as overwhelming. Some employees nearby recounted the intense heat and confusion as explosions echoed around them.
Despite this incident, UPS Worldport, the largest package-handling facility for UPS, resumed operations shortly after, sort of reflecting the resilience of logistics services. This hub employs over 20,000 people and manages hundreds of flights daily, emphasizing the critical role it plays in the supply chain.
For more information on aviation safety, check out Boeing’s Aircraft Safety Reports.
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Plane Crash, Louisville, Kentucky, UPS, FedEx
