Air TransportMD-11 aircraft expected to remain grounded until 2026 after fatal UPS crash
The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is expected to keep all MD-11 operations suspended until at least 2026, extending the grounding imposed after a UPS MD-11F crashed moments after takeoff in Louisville, Kentucky, on November 4, killing 14 people.
The decision leaves the U.S. cargo industry without one of its most widely used widebody freighters and forces major operators to fill capacity gaps for an indefinite period.
UPS has expanded short-term aircraft leases to keep up with demand, while FedEx has pulled reserve aircraft into service and is weighing additional charter options.
FedEx says inspections of its 25-aircraft MD-11 fleet are expected to begin soon, though regulators have not yet defined the full scope of work required for the type to return to service.
The grounding has also pushed Western Global Airlines to place pilots on leave as the company prepares for a prolonged shutdown of its MD-11 operation.
NTSB labs continue to analyze components tied to the accident and key parts remain under examination as investigators work through the earliest stages of the inquiry.
Initial findings show the left engine and its pylon separating from the wing seconds after the aircraft began its takeoff roll at Muhammad Ali International Airport.
The NTSB released photos confirming the separation but stressed that the root cause has not yet been determined and that no conclusions should be drawn from preliminary evidence.
Boeing is supporting operators with engineering guidance while the FAA develops the inspection protocol that will dictate when the MD-11 can safely return to service.
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