UPS, FedEx ground MD-Il fleets after deadly crash in Louisville

UPS and FedEx said on Nov 7 they have grounded their combined fleet of more than 50 McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo planes following a crash in Louisville, Kentucky, that killed at least 14 people.

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A UPS MD-H crashed late on Nov 4, erupting into a fireball moments after takeoff from Louisville’s international airport.

The death toll from the crash, the cause of which is still under investigation, has risen to 14, according to a post on X by Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg on Nov 7.

UPS and FedEx, the world’s largest cargo carriers, said in separate statements that they grounded the planes “out of an abundance of caution”.

FedEx said it operates 28 MD-ls and, according to a UPS factsheet, UPS had 27 in its fleet prior to the crash.

“We made this decision proactively at the recommendation of the aircraft manufacturer,’ UPS said in its statement.