A cargo aircraft operated by UPS crashed near Louisville, Kentucky, on November 4, 2025, killing 14 people, including the three pilots on board. Investigators say the accident was caused by an engine separation during takeoff and a persistent “bell” sound heard in the cockpit. The MD‑11 involved was built in 1991 and had undergone maintenance in San Antonio a month earlier.
On November 7, UPS announced that it would temporarily ground its 27 MD‑11 aircraft, which represent roughly 9 % of its total fleet. The decision was made at the recommendation of Boeing, the manufacturer of the MD‑11, and is intended to ensure safety and operational reliability while investigations continue. UPS emphasized that contingency plans are in place to maintain service levels despite the short‑term reduction in cargo capacity.
FedEx also grounded its MD‑11 fleet in response to the incident, underscoring heightened safety scrutiny across the industry. The coordinated action has prompted a review of fleet‑modernization plans, as the MD‑11 is an older model that has been in production since 2000. The grounding is expected to be temporary, with UPS planning to resume operations once safety reviews are complete.
UPS’s Worldport hub in Louisville, the company’s largest package‑handling facility, resumed operations shortly after the crash. The company’s spokesperson said that nothing is more important than the safety of employees and the communities it serves, and that the grounding is a proactive measure to protect customers and staff while investigations proceed.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation and is expected to release a preliminary report within about 30 days. The grounding and the crash have highlighted the importance of rigorous maintenance and safety oversight, and may accelerate UPS’s shift toward newer aircraft models. While the incident temporarily reduces UPS’s cargo capacity, the company’s contingency plans and the short‑term nature of the grounding mitigate immediate operational impact.
The grounding of the MD‑11 fleet is a significant safety event that will likely influence UPS’s long‑term fleet strategy and reinforce the company’s commitment to safety and reliability. The incident also serves as a reminder of the critical role of maintenance and oversight in commercial aviation.
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