Earlier this week, a UPS McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter crashed during takeoff in Louisville, Kentucky, resulting in heavy casualties. To prevent similar incidents, both UPS and FedEx announced on Friday (November 7) that they have grounded their entire MD-11 fleet as a precautionary measure.
The UPS McDonnell Douglas MD-11 (or Boeing MD-11) freighter took off from Louisville International Airport late on Tuesday (November 4) night and crashed shortly after, colliding with nearby commercial buildings and causing a massive fire that led to the closure of the airport. The Mayor of Louisville, Craig Greenberg, confirmed on Friday that the death toll from the accident had risen to 14.
The aircraft involved was an MD-11F three-engine freighter with a 34-year-old lifespan. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that the left engine of the aircraft caught fire and detached from the wing during takeoff.
NTSB safety investigators stated that an alarm sounded in the cockpit just before the crash, and the three pilots attempted to regain control of the aircraft.
At the time of the crash, the aircraft was carrying 38,000 gallons (approximately 144,000 liters) of fuel, which was a major factor in the intensity of the fire and the destruction of buildings.
Both UPS and FedEx, the world’s largest cargo companies, stated in their respective announcements that grounding their fleets was a “highly cautious” decision.
The combined MD-11 fleet of the two companies exceeds 50 aircraft (FedEx operates 28 and UPS had 27 before the accident). The MD-11 model was discontinued in 2000.
Both companies are following the recommendations of the manufacturer Boeing (which acquired MD-11 manufacturer McDonnell Douglas in 1997). Boeing also confirmed that they advised suspending operations of MD-11 freighters.
While UPS stated that MD-11s account for only 9% of its fleet, this grounding may still have an impact on the global supply chain. FedEx mentioned that they have implemented an “immediate contingency plan” to ensure uninterrupted transport of time-sensitive critical goods, including life-saving medicines.
The NTSB is leading the investigation into the crash, and a preliminary investigation report is expected to be released in about 30 days.
(Adapted from reports by Reuters and BBC)