Following the UPS Cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, on 5 November, which claimed at least 12 lives, the two giants of cargo transportation, UPS and FedEx, have decided to ground all their MD-11 tri-jet cargo aircraft.
UPS spokesperson Jim Mayer stated, “Safety is our top priority. The MD-11 fleet will remain grounded until the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) completes its investigation.” The company announced that the decision took effect immediately as of 7 November. UPS had 42 MD-11 aircraft in its fleet.
Simultaneous measure from FedEx
Following UPS, its rival FedEx also suspended its fleet of 57 MD-11 aircraft on the same day. In a written statement, FedEx Vice President Raj Subramaniam said, “We have deployed alternative aircraft types to ensure uninterrupted service for our customers.”
Accident details and initial findings
According to the NTSB’s preliminary report, the UPS Cargo plane caught fire 45 seconds after take-off when its left engine separated from the wing. The aircraft crashed into a warehouse located two kilometres from Louisville International Airport. Cockpit voice recordings revealed that the pilots announced, “engine separation.”
The future of MD-11s in question
Both companies had previously planned to gradually replace their MD-11 fleets with Boeing 777F and 767F models by 2028. However, the tragic accident has prompted an earlier start to this transition.
Aviation industry sources state that the MD-11’s 1990s-era design and high maintenance costs are the main factors behind this decision.
