UPS has temporarily grounded its MD-11 cargo planes following a tragic crash in Kentucky that claimed 14 lives. The incident occurred last Tuesday evening when a decades-old McDonnell Douglas MD-11, carrying three crew members, exploded shortly after taking off from Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville.
Authorities continued searching the crash site on Friday, discovering a 14th victim amid the half-mile stretch of charred wreckage. Among those confirmed dead were a grandfather and his three-year-old granddaughter, bringing the heartbreaking toll to the forefront.
The Company’s Response
In a statement released Friday, UPS said the grounding was a proactive safety measure. “Out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of safety, we have temporarily grounded our MD-11 fleet,” the logistics giant explained.
The fleet represents roughly nine percent of UPS’s aircraft. The company emphasized that the decision came at the recommendation of the plane’s manufacturer. UPS also reassured customers that contingency plans are in place to maintain reliable delivery services while the fleet remains grounded.
Flight 2976 and the Investigation
The investigation into Flight 2976 is ongoing, with aviation experts weighing in on the MD-11 model itself. Mary Schiavo, former Inspector General of the US Department of Transportation, described the aircraft as a “workhorse” but noted it was already outdated when introduced.
Data from Boeing suggests the MD-11 has the second-worst safety record among commercial planes still in operation. Introduced in 1990 as a passenger jet, it was retired from commercial flights in 2014 due to high maintenance costs and poor fuel efficiency and has since been used primarily for cargo.
Challenges of the MD-11
Ross Aimer, CEO of Aero Consulting Experts and a veteran United Airlines pilot, noted that the plane has a reputation for being tricky to land. The specific plane involved in Tuesday’s crash was manufactured in 1991 and acquired by UPS in 2006.
Despite its age, some experts argue that maintenance matters more than years in service. Jeff Guzzetti, former NTSB investigator, told The Wall Street Journal that a well-maintained aircraft can remain safe for decades. Records indicate the plane was temporarily grounded in San Antonio from early September to mid-October for a permanent fuel tank repair.
Industry Perspective and Fleet Replacement
Aviation consultant Mike Boyd explained that while age itself is not a major concern for operators like UPS, the rising maintenance costs and fuel consumption are key factors. More than 80 MD-11 planes are still active in cargo operations, including at FedEx Express and Western Global Airlines. Both FedEx and UPS plan to gradually phase out the model in favor of newer, more efficient aircraft.
Personal Tragedy Amid the Crash
The human toll of the crash has been devastating. Among the victims identified are Louisnes Fedon and his granddaughter, Kimberly Asa. Matt Sweets, who survived the initial explosion, later died from injuries when 95 percent of his body was burned.
The flight crew, Capt. Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Capt. Dana Diamond, were all killed on impact. Other victims remain missing, including Louisville resident Angela Anderson, 45, a mother of two.
The Aftermath
Crews have continued to comb through the wreckage, searching for additional victims. The community and UPS employees are grappling with the tragedy while authorities continue to investigate the cause of the explosion. Meanwhile, UPS is focused on maintaining operations and ensuring safety across its fleet, signaling that caution will guide every step forward.