In brief
UPS has announced that its McDonnell Douglas MD-11 fleet, involved in a tragic crash on November 4, is not expected to return to service for several months. The incident, which occurred during takeoff in Louisville, led to the grounding of the fleet for extensive inspections and repairs, with the company prioritizing safety as it approaches the busy holiday season. Boeing is assisting in addressing FAA requirements amid these developments.
A fleet of planes that UPS grounded after a deadly crash isn’t expected to be back in service during the peak holiday season due to inspections and possible repairs, the company said Wednesday in an internal memo.
The airline expects it will be several months before its McDonnell Douglas MD-11 fleet returns to service as it works to meet Federal Aviation Administration guidelines, said the memo from UPS Airlines president Bill Moore to employees. The process was originally estimated to take weeks but is now expected to take several months.
A fiery MD-11 plane crash on Nov. 4 in Louisville, Kentucky, killed 14 people and injured at least 23 when the left engine detached during takeoff. Cargo carriers grounded their MD-11 fleets shortly after, ahead of a directive from the FAA.
“Regarding the MD-11 fleet, Boeing’s ongoing evaluation shows that inspections and potential repairs will be more extensive than initially expected,” Moore wrote in the memo.
A UPS spokesperson stated that the company will rely on contingency plans to deliver for customers throughout the peak season, emphasizing it will take the necessary time to ensure that every aircraft is safe.
The 109 remaining MD-11 airliners, averaging more than 30 years old, are exclusively used to haul cargo for package delivery companies, making up about 9% of the UPS airline fleet and 4% of the FedEx fleet.
Boeing, which took over as the manufacturer of MD-11s since merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997, stated it is “working diligently to provide instructions and technical support to operators” so they can meet the FAA’s requirements. The FAA has indicated that Boeing will develop the procedures for inspections and any corrective actions, pending approval from the FAA.
