UPS and FedEx have made the decision to ground their fleets of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo planes “out of an abundance of caution” following a devastating crash at the UPS global aviation hub in Louisville, Kentucky. The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of 14 people, including the three pilots on board the MD-11, which was en route to Honolulu.
The MD-11 aircraft constitute approximately 9% of the UPS airline fleet and 4% of FedEx’s fleet, according to statements from both companies. “We made this decision proactively at the recommendation of the aircraft manufacturer,” UPS announced late on Friday.
Safety Concerns Prompt Proactive Measures
FedEx, in an email statement, confirmed that it would be grounding the aircraft while conducting “a thorough safety review based on the recommendation of the manufacturer.” Boeing, which merged with McDonnell Douglas in 1997, has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the rationale behind the recommendation.
Western Global Airlines, another U.S. cargo operator flying MD-11s, has 16 of these aircraft in its fleet, with 12 already in storage, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. The company has not provided a comment outside of business hours early on Saturday.
Boeing announced in 1998 that it would phase out MD-11 jetliner production, with final deliveries completed by 2000.
Investigative Process and Technical Details
The UPS cargo plane involved in the crash was built in 1991. According to National Transportation Safety Board member Todd Inman, the aircraft was nearly airborne when a bell sounded in the cockpit. For 25 seconds, the bell rang as the pilots attempted to control the plane, which barely lifted off the runway with its left wing ablaze and an engine missing.
The aircraft subsequently crashed, creating a massive fireball. The cockpit voice recorder captured the bell, which sounded approximately 37 seconds after the crew called for take-off thrust. Investigators have yet to determine the exact reason for the bell, though they noted the left wing was on fire and the engine had detached.
Mr. Inman stated that it would take months before a transcript of the cockpit recording is publicly released as part of the investigation.
Potential Causes and Expert Opinions
Jeff Guzzetti, a former federal crash investigator, suggested that the bell likely signaled an engine fire. “It occurred at a point in the take-off where they were likely past their decision speed to abort the take-off,” Guzzetti explained. “They were likely past their critical decision speed to remain on the runway and stop safely. They’ll need to thoroughly investigate the options the crew may or may not have had.”
Flight records indicate that the UPS MD-11 involved in the crash had undergone maintenance while on the ground in San Antonio for over a month until mid-October. However, the specifics of the maintenance work remain unclear.
Implications and Future Steps
The grounding of the MD-11 fleets by UPS and FedEx underscores the aviation industry’s commitment to safety, particularly in light of this tragedy. The decision reflects a cautious approach to ensure the safety of crew and cargo, while investigations continue to uncover the root causes of the crash.
As the investigation progresses, the aviation community and the public await further details about the incident and any potential implications for the MD-11 model. The outcome of the safety reviews and the investigation will likely inform future operational decisions and safety protocols for cargo airlines worldwide.
In the meantime, both UPS and FedEx are working closely with aviation authorities and the aircraft manufacturer to address any identified issues and ensure the continued safety of their operations.
