UPS and FedEx have grounded their fleets of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighters following a deadly crash involving a UPS aircraft in Louisville, Kentucky, raising concerns about air cargo capacity just ahead of the peak holiday season.
The crash occurred on November 4, when UPS Flight 2976 bound for Honolulu, operated by an MD-11F, went down shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, UPS global aviation hub in Kentucky.
The aircraft crashed into an industrial area near the runway, killing all three crew members and at least 11 people on the ground, according to various reports.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that the aircraft's No. 1 engine detached during the takeoff roll. The agency has recovered both the flight data and cockpit voice recorders and is analyzing them as part of its ongoing investigation.
Following the incident, Boeing recommended grounding all MD-11 aircraft pending further engineering analysis, and both UPS and FedEx complied. UPS stated the move was made "out of an abundance of caution," while FedEx confirmed it had grounded its MD-11s.
The FAA followed with an emergency airworthiness directive requiring inspections before further operations.
"We made this decision proactively at the recommendation of the aircraft manufacturer," UPS said in a statement. "Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our employees and the communities we serve."
FedEx said it would keep the aircraft grounded while it carries out a detailed safety assessment, following guidance from the manufacturer.
The grounding affects a sizable portion of each carrier's fleet, with MD-11s making up about 9% of UPS aircraft and roughly 4% of FedEx’s.
The timing of the grounding is critical. With holiday demand surging, the loss of widebody freighter capacity could strain global logistics networks.
Both carriers have stated they are implementing contingency plans, but industry analysts warn that rerouting and fleet substitution may not fully offset the shortfall.
