Air TransportUPS and FedEx ground MD-11 freighters after Kentucky crash kills 14
UPS and FedEx temporarily suspended operations of some MD-11 freighter aircraft after a fatal crash at Louisville International Airport, Kentucky, on Tuesday left at least 14 dead.
The affected aircraft, an MD-11F operated by UPS, crashed during takeoff, colliding with adjacent buildings and igniting a fire that closed the airport.
The decision to ground portions of the MD-11 fleets follows Boeing’s recommendations pending further information from the ongoing investigation.
"We have made the decision to temporarily ground our MD-11 fleet. MD-11s are approximately 9% of the UPS Airlines fleet”, said UPS in a statement on Friday.
UPS had 27 aircraft of the type prior the crash, while FedEx operates 28 MD-11s among its 700 aircraft. Western Global Airlines, which operates 12 MD-11Fs, continued flying the type as recently as Saturday.
The MD-11 involved entered service 34 years ago and was originally manufactured by McDonnell Douglas before the 1997 merger with Boeing. The aircraft was carrying approximately 38,000 gallons of fuel at the time of the accident.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation and expects to release a preliminary report within 30 days. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg stated, “We pray for each of the victims’ families and pray that there are no further victims.”
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