LOUISVILLE, Ky. — United Parcel Service has grounded its entire fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft following a deadly crash involving one of the planes earlier this week, the company confirmed on Friday. The decision affects a key part of UPS's global air operations and comes amid an ongoing investigation into the accident that claimed at least 14 lives in Louisville, Kentucky.
The crash occurred on Tuesday evening when UPS Flight 1307, bound for Honolulu, Hawaii, from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, burst into flames during takeoff. Witnesses and video footage captured the harrowing scene as the plane's left engine caught fire and detached shortly after leaving the ground around 5:15 p.m. local time. The aircraft then plummeted into an industrial area near the airport, igniting a massive fire that engulfed nearby buildings and vehicles.
According to officials, the three crew members aboard the MD-11 freighter perished in the crash, along with at least 11 people on the ground. On Friday night, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced that search teams had recovered the remains of a 14th victim at the site.
'We pray for each of the victims' families, and pray that no additional victims were lost as our first responders continue to search and seek answers,'Greenberg said in a video statement released to the public.
UPS, which employs about 25,000 people in the Louisville metro area and operates the airport as a major hub for its worldwide shipping network, described the grounding as a precautionary measure. 'We made this decision proactively at the recommendation of the aircraft manufacturer. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our employees and the communities we serve,' said UPS spokesman Jim Mayer in a statement. The company emphasized that the move was taken 'out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of safety.'
The MD-11 fleet represents roughly 9% of UPS's total air fleet, which includes more than 500 aircraft of various types, both owned and chartered, used in global operations. Despite the grounding, UPS assured customers that contingency plans are in place to maintain service reliability. 'Contingency plans are in place to ensure we can continue to deliver the reliable service our customers around the world count on,' the company stated.
NBC News first reported the grounding on Friday, citing two sources familiar with the matter. One of those sources shared a photo of a directive displayed on a plane's screen, instructing pilots: 'Per UPS MD11 are not to depart effective immediately.' This internal communication underscored the immediacy of the company's response to the incident.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the crash. NTSB member Todd Inman provided early details during a briefing on Wednesday, noting that video evidence showed the left engine catching fire during takeoff before detaching from the aircraft. 'Video shows that the left engine of the plane caught fire during takeoff and immediately detached,' Inman said. Investigators are examining factors such as mechanical failure, maintenance records, and pilot actions, though no official cause has been determined yet.
The MD-11, a wide-body freighter originally developed by McDonnell Douglas and later produced by Boeing after a merger, has been a workhorse for cargo operations since the 1990s. UPS has relied on these planes for long-haul flights, including routes across the Pacific like the one involved in the crash. However, the model has a history of incidents; for instance, a similar UPS MD-11 crash-landed in Dubai in 2010, killing both pilots, and another operated by FedEx caught fire in 2009. While these past events provide context, officials have not linked them directly to the Louisville accident.
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, named after the legendary boxer who hailed from the city, serves as UPS's primary air hub, handling millions of packages daily. The crash site, located in an industrial zone adjacent to the airport, saw extensive damage, with flames spreading to warehouses and vehicles. First responders, including firefighters and search teams, have been combing through the debris for days, leading to the discovery of additional victims.
Mayor Greenberg has been vocal about the community's response, praising the efforts of emergency personnel while expressing condolences. The tragedy has ripple effects in Louisville, where UPS is the largest employer, contributing significantly to the local economy. Residents near the airport have reported hearing a loud explosion followed by thick smoke, with some describing the scene as chaotic as evacuations ensued.
In the wake of the crash, questions have arisen about the safety of aging aircraft like the MD-11, which is no longer in production. Aviation experts, speaking anonymously to media outlets, have suggested that while the planes undergo rigorous maintenance, incidents like engine failures highlight potential vulnerabilities in older models. UPS, however, maintains that its fleet meets all regulatory standards, and the grounding reflects a commitment to exceeding safety protocols.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is assisting the NTSB in the probe, which could take months to complete. Preliminary findings may emerge in the coming weeks, but a full report often requires detailed analysis of black box data, wreckage examination, and witness interviews. In the meantime, UPS has activated alternative aircraft to reroute shipments, minimizing disruptions to its network that spans over 220 countries and territories.
Beyond the immediate operational impacts, the incident underscores broader challenges in the air cargo industry, where demand has surged due to e-commerce growth. UPS, a key player alongside rivals like FedEx and DHL, has invested billions in fleet modernization, but the reliance on models like the MD-11 persists for cost efficiency on certain routes. Analysts predict that this grounding could lead to short-term delays in package deliveries, particularly for trans-Pacific shipments, though the company has downplayed such concerns.
As the investigation progresses, families of the victims are seeking answers and support. Community vigils have been held in Louisville, with local leaders calling for unity in the face of tragedy. UPS has pledged to cooperate fully with authorities and provide assistance to affected families, emphasizing its role as a pillar of the community.
Looking ahead, the NTSB's findings could influence aviation regulations and fleet decisions industry-wide. For now, the grounding of the MD-11s serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in air transport, even as companies like UPS strive to balance efficiency with uncompromising safety measures. Officials expect updates on the victim count and investigation as recovery efforts continue into the weekend.