Major Cargo Carriers Ground Aircraft Following Tragedy
Two of the world's largest cargo airlines, UPS and FedEx, have taken the decisive step of grounding their fleets of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft. This precautionary move comes in the wake of a catastrophic crash in Louisville, Kentucky, which claimed the lives of 14 people.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, 8 November 2025, when a UPS MD-11, bound for Honolulu, crashed near the UPS Worldport facility. The aircraft, which was built in 1991, exploded into a fireball upon impact, also hitting two buildings. Tragically, all three pilots on board were among the 14 fatalities.
Investigation Uncovers Critical Details
Authorities from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have revealed alarming details from the crash investigation. The plane was carrying a substantial 38,000 gallons of fuel at the time of the accident. According to NTSB member Todd Inman, the cockpit voice recorder captured a bell sounding in the cockpit for 25 seconds as the pilots struggled for control.
Investigators confirmed that the aircraft's left wing was on fire and the engine on that same side had detached before the MD-11 crashed. While the exact reason for the alarm bell is still under investigation, flight records indicate the plane had undergone maintenance until mid-October, though the nature of that work remains unclear.
Industry-Wide Safety Response
In response to the tragedy and following recommendations from the aircraft manufacturer, both logistics giants have acted swiftly. UPS announced its decision on Friday, stating that "nothing is more important to us than the safety of our employees and the communities we serve." The MD-11s constitute approximately 9% of the UPS fleet.
Similarly, FedEx, which operates 28 MD-11s out of its total fleet of around 700 aircraft, also grounded its planes. A company representative stated the move was made "out of an abundance of caution" to conduct a thorough safety inspection and review. Both companies are implementing contingency plans to minimise service disruptions.
This safety measure has a wider industry impact. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, the only other US cargo airline flying MD-11s is Western Global Airlines, which has already placed 12 of its 16 MD-11 aircraft into storage.
