FAA Grounds All MD-11 Aircraft After Deadly UPS Cargo Plane Crash in Kentucky

FAA Temporarily Grounds MD-11 Aircraft Following Fatal UPS Cargo Plane Crash

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Saturday announced a temporary suspension of flights by all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft pending safety inspections. The move follows a fatal UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky earlier this week that killed at least 14 people.

Both UPS and FedEx said they had already grounded more than 50 MD-11 freighters from their combined fleets following a recommendation from aircraft manufacturer Boeing (BA.N).

The FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive after Tuesday’s crash in Louisville, where the aircraft’s left engine and pylon detached during takeoff. Investigators are probing the cause of the in-flight separation.

“This condition could prevent the continued safe flight and landing of the aircraft,” the FAA said in its statement.

“The FAA is issuing this directive because the agency has determined that an unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same design.”

UPS confirmed it is complying with the order, grounding its 26 MD-11s, which make up roughly 9% of its total fleet. Boeing said on Saturday it supports the FAA’s directive.

FedEx, which operates 28 MD-11s among its 700 aircraft, said it has activated contingency plans to minimize operational disruptions.

Extensive Inspections Required Before Flights Resume

Boeing acquired the MD-11 program through its 1997 merger with McDonnell Douglas.
Officials said the FAA may require comprehensive engine and pylon inspections before allowing the aircraft to return to service. Any necessary repairs will have to be completed as part of the process.

A spokesperson for the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stressed that the agency has not yet determined the cause of the crash, which is still under investigation.

The 34-year-old cargo plane reportedly reached an altitude of about 100 feet (30.5 meters) before veering off the runway, bursting into flames, and destroying two nearby businesses.

During the takeoff roll, one of the aircraft’s three engines separated from the left wing, officials said.

On Friday, U.S. safety investigators reported that the three UPS pilots in the cockpit tried to regain control moments before impact after cockpit alarms sounded.

Earlier this week, the NTSB said it was reviewing the aircraft’s maintenance history, noting that the plane had recently undergone major repairs in Texas. According to a source familiar with the matter, the work took place at a Singapore Technologies Engineering (ST Engineering) facility.

ST Engineering confirmed it provides airframe maintenance services for UPS MD-11s at its San Antonio facility, but declined to comment further.