US Cargo Giants Halt MD-11 Fleet After Kentucky Plane Disaster

Sat Nov 08 2025 14:38:50 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Following a devastating plane crash in Kentucky that has claimed at least 14 lives, UPS and FedEx have grounded their fleets of MD-11 cargo aircraft, adhering to Boeing's recommendation for safety reasons.

A tragic air disaster in Kentucky has forced American delivery companies UPS and FedEx to ground their MD-11 cargo planes after a catastrophic mid-takeoff crash that resulted in 14 fatalities. Officials are still investigating the cause of the incident which involved a UPS aircraft that collided with nearby buildings during takeoff. Both companies emphasized safety as the primary concern while plans for service continuity are being put into effect.

American delivery firms UPS and FedEx have temporarily grounded part of their fleets of cargo planes after a mid-takeoff crash in Kentucky on Tuesday left at least 14 people dead.

The UPS aircraft burst into flames as it careered off the runway and collided with neighbouring business premises, triggering a huge fire which gutted several buildings and closed Louisville International Airport.

UPS stated that the decision to ground MD-11 models followed instructions from manufacturer Boeing, while rival delivery giant FedEx confirmed it would follow suit.

Officials are yet to determine what caused the deadly crash. Hours before the fleet was grounded, officials confirmed that the death toll had risen to 14 after another body was found, with buildings caught up in the fire still being searched for more victims.

We pray for each of the victims' families and pray that no additional victims are lost, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg stated.

In a statement, UPS said the decision to ground 9% of its fleet was out of an abundance of caution. Boeing later recommended UPS and FedEx suspend use of the MD-11 plane, emphasizing safety as a priority.

It remains unclear how the grounding will affect delivery services, with FedEx reporting 28 MD-11s in their fleet and UPS having 27 before the incident.

UPS confirmed they have contingency plans to maintain service, prioritizing the safety of employees and communities. The aircraft involved was an MD-11F triple-engine plane, originally manufactured by McDonnell Douglas and primarily used for cargo since entering UPS service in 2006.

The crash saw the left engine ignite and detach during takeoff, carrying 38,000 gallons of fuel, which exacerbated the resulting fire. The investigation continues as both companies work towards ensuring safety in their operations.