LOUISVILLE, KY - In a move described as precautionary, UPS announced late Friday the temporary grounding of its MD-11 aircraft fleet in light of the recent fatal crash at its global aviation hub in Kentucky. The tragic incident, which took place at UPS Worldport, claimed 14 lives, including the three pilots aboard the MD-11 aircraft that was en route to Honolulu.
UPS emphasized that safety remains its top priority, stating, 'We made this decision proactively at the recommendation of the aircraft manufacturer.' Currently, the MD-11s account for roughly 9% of UPS's total airline fleet.
The specifics surrounding the crash continue to unfold. On the day of the incident, a warning bell rang in the cockpit about 37 seconds after the crew initiated takeoff thrust. Despite the crew's efforts to manage the situation, the aircraft, already ablaze with a detached left wing engine, crashed shortly after takeoff.
National Transportation Safety Board member Todd Inman reported that the cockpit's voice recorder captured the warning sounds that preceded the crash. Investigators are yet to determine the exact cause of the alarm, but ongoing inquiries reveal crucial details about the aircraft's conditions at the time.
Jeff Guzzetti, a former federal crash investigator, added context to the situation, stating that the timing of the alarm likely indicated an engine fire, occurring past a critical decision point when the crew should have safely aborted the takeoff.
Eyewitness video footage caught the plane's crash and subsequent explosion from multiple angles, providing vital evidence for investigators. The UPS Worldport facility, promoted as the company's largest, processes over 400,000 packages an hour and employs more than 20,000 individuals in the region.
Despite the shocking incident, UPS Worldport operations have started resuming, focusing on their 'Next Day Air' and night sort functionalities, as they adjust to the present concerns surrounding aviation safety.
