FedEx and UPS have grounded their fleets of MD-11 cargo planes after the crash in Kentucky
Robert Ng/South China Morning Post via Getty Images
- UPS and FedEx are grounding their fleets of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 planes, the companies said.
- It comes after a UPS MD-11 crashed during takeoff on Tuesday, killing at least 14 people.
- Both companies said they were acting on the advice of the aircraft manufacturer.
Delivery companies UPS and FedEx announced they are temporarily grounding their fleets of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo planes.
It comes after a UPS MD-11 crashed during takeoff in Kentucky on Tuesday, killing at least 14 people, including three crew members.
The companies said they made the decision after advice from the aircraft manufacturer.
“Out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of safety, we have made the decision to temporarily ground our MD-11 fleet,” UPS said in a statement, adding that the planes made up about 9% of its fleet.
“Contingency plans are in place to ensure we can continue to deliver the reliable service our customers around the world count on.”
FedEx operates 28 MD-11s as part of a wider fleet of around 700 aircraft.
The Tennessee-headquartered firm said it had also taken the decision “out of an abundance of caution” and that it would be conducting “a thorough safety review based on the recommendation of the manufacturer.”
“We are immediately implementing contingency plans within our integrated air-ground network to minimize disruptions,” it added.
The plane involved in Tuesday’s crash near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport could be seen banking hard to the left before crashing into an industrial area to the south of the airport.
Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board said the aircraft’s left engine “separated” from the wing during the incident.
In an update on Friday, NTSB board member Todd Inman said analysis of the cockpit voice recorder showed a “repeating bell” had sounded for 25 seconds as the crew fought to control the plane.
The aircraft reached about 100 feet above the ground before it went down, according to the agency.
Those on board included Capt. Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and international relief officer Capt. Dana Diamond.