LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In a cautious move, UPS and FedEx have decided to ground their McDonnell Douglas MD-11 planes following a tragic crash at the UPS global hub in Louisville. On Tuesday, the aircraft went down, claiming 14 lives, including the three pilots on board.
The MD-11 makes up around 9% of UPS’s airline fleet and 4% of FedEx’s. Both companies are taking this step based on recommendations from the aircraft’s manufacturer. UPS emphasized that the safety of its employees and the community is their top priority. Similarly, FedEx is conducting a detailed safety review before resuming operations.
Boeing, which merged with McDonnell Douglas in 1997, has suggested that all MD-11 operators halt flights while further analysis is done. Currently, Western Global Airlines is the only other U.S. cargo airline using the MD-11, though most of its fleet is already stored.
Originally, Boeing announced in 1998 that production of the MD-11 would end, with the last deliveries happening in 2000.
The crash situation is under active investigation. The UPS plane, built in 1991, nearly took off when a warning bell sounded in the cockpit. For 25 seconds, pilots struggled to maintain control as flames engulfed the left wing and the engine detached. A former federal crash investigator, Jeff Guzzetti, speculated that the alarm indicated an engine fire. He pointed out that the pilots might have passed their point of no return for a safe abort.
“Investigators will need to look into the options the crew had,” he noted.
Dramatic videos of the crash show the airplane hitting ground structures and exploding into a fireball, providing investigators with crucial evidence. Flight records reveal the aircraft underwent maintenance in San Antonio for over a month before the accident, but details about the work done remain unclear.
Despite the crash, UPS Worldport, the company’s largest hub, resumed operations swiftly. This facility employs over 20,000 people and processes an astounding 400,000 packages every hour.
In terms of public reaction, social media has seen a mix of sorrow and concern. Many users express their condolences for the victims while discussing the safety measures in place for air cargo operations.
To stay updated on similar aviation safety topics, you might find the FAA’s safety reports insightful. They provide valuable information on the current state of air travel safety standards.
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General news, Kentucky, Louisville, KY State Wire, Plane crashes, Jim Mayer, Todd Inman, United Parcel Service, Inc., U.S. news, Aerospace and defense industry, Business, Jeff Guzzetti, The Boeing Co., FedEx Corp.
