LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Flux Daily) — In a precautionary move following a tragic plane crash at its Louisville global aviation hub, UPS has grounded its fleet of MD-11 aircraft. The company made this decision late Friday, prioritizing the safety of its employees and the communities it serves.
The MD-11 jets constitute about 9% of UPS's fleet. While details regarding the duration of this grounding have yet to be established, the recommendation came from the aircraft's manufacturer.
The horrific crash on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of 14 individuals, including the three pilots of the MD-11 heading towards Honolulu. Eyewitness accounts and preliminary reports indicate that the aircraft was nearly airborne when alarms rang in the cockpit, warning the crew of an engine issue, specifically a fire on the left wing where an engine detached just moments before the crash.
National Transportation Safety Board member Todd Inman stated that the cockpit voice recorder captured the alarming sounds shortly after the crew initiated takeoff thrust. Investigators have noted that the aircraft was likely past a critical decision speed to stop safely on the runway when the incident occurred.
Jeff Guzzetti, a former federal crash investigator, elaborated that thorough investigations will be necessary to understand the crew's options during this emergency situation. Dramatic footage from various angles captured the plane impacting the ground, leading to a massive explosion for which the NTSB will analyze collected evidence.
The UPS Worldport is the company's most significant hub, employing upwards of 20,000 personnel and managing an extensive operation that sorts over 400,000 packages every hour.
As the investigation unfolds, UPS has resumed limited operations, focusing on its Next Day Air service while ensuring the highest safety standards moving forward.
