The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an order on Saturday to halt MD-11 aircraft flights for inspection following a fatal UPS cargo freighter crash in Louisville, Ky., claiming at least 14 lives earlier in the week. Both UPS and FedEx have voluntarily grounded their combined 50-plus McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo planes based on Boeing’s guidance.
The emergency airworthiness directive from the FAA was prompted by the recent crash, where the left engine and pylon separated from the aircraft during takeoff, leading to concerns about safety during flight and landing. UPS confirmed compliance with the directive by grounding its 26 MD-11 planes, constituting approximately nine percent of its fleet.
Boeing expressed its support for the FAA’s decision, noting its acquisition of the MD-11 program in 1997 through the McDonnell Douglas merger. Officials anticipate that thorough engine and pylon inspections will be necessary before the planes can resume operations.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is spearheading the investigation into the 34-year-old MD-11 freighter crash at the airport, which took place as the plane was departing for Honolulu from UPS’s aviation hub in Louisville. Witness accounts and security footage revealed the left engine detachment during takeoff, leading to a subsequent fire and crash.
Safety investigators disclosed that the three UPS pilots aboard attempted to regain control of the aircraft before the tragic incident. The FAA is likely to impose stringent inspection requirements before allowing MD-11 planes to return to service.