UPS Grounds Entire MD-11 Fleet Indefinitely Following Louisville Crash

UPS Airlines has grounded its entire fleet of cargo jets indefinitely, warning of significant disruptions during the peak holiday season.

The airline announced that its fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-11s, the same model involved in a tragic crash in Louisville, Kentucky, on November 4, is not expected to return to service for several months, according to the Associated Press.

Shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, the UPS cargo plane experienced a catastrophic failure when its engine fell off and ignited. The Honolulu-bound flight crashed around 5:15 p.m., impacting a nearby industrial area and resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals, including three crew members and 11 people on the ground.

Data retrieved from the black box indicates that the aircraft only ascended to about 30 feet above ground level before the crash. Newly released images from the National Transportation Safety Board reveal a fire erupting from the left engine.

5 ON BOARD AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT HOSPITALIZED AFTER ODOR DIVERTS PLANE

Fire and smoke mark where a UPS cargo plane crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on November 04, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. The fully fueled plane crashed shortly after takeoff. (Stephen Cohen/Getty Images / Getty Images)

UPS temporarily grounded the fleet immediately following the crash and began working to comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines before resuming operations.

Initially, the process was expected to take weeks, but it has now been extended to several months, as noted in a memo from UPS Airlines president Bill Moore.

“Regarding the MD-11 fleet, Boeing’s ongoing evaluation shows that inspections and potential repairs will be more extensive than initially expected,” Moore stated in the memo.

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UPS temporarily grounded a fleet of cargo planes immediately following a crash on Nov. 4, which killed 14 people.  (Credit: X / @WT_Mason)

On November 7, UPS announced the grounding of its MD-11 fleet “out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of safety.” These planes represent approximately 9% of the airline’s total fleet.

“Contingency plans are in place to ensure we can continue to deliver the reliable service our customers around the world count on,” UPS stated in an earlier announcement.

In the wake of the crash, the FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive to owners and operators of the Boeing Company Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, citing concerns about potential unsafe conditions in other aircraft.

Following the incident, FedEx also announced it would be grounding its MD-11s.

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The Nov. 4 crash happened near the UPS Worldport at the Louisville Airport. (Google Maps)

Fox Business has reached out to UPS for further comments.

UPS Airlines has grounded its entire fleet of cargo jets indefinitely, warning of significant disruptions during the peak holiday season.

The airline announced that its fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-11s, the same model involved in a tragic crash in Louisville, Kentucky, on November 4, is not expected to return to service for several months, according to the Associated Press.

Shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, the UPS cargo plane experienced a catastrophic failure when its engine fell off and ignited. The Honolulu-bound flight crashed around 5:15 p.m., impacting a nearby industrial area and resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals, including three crew members and 11 people on the ground.

Data retrieved from the black box indicates that the aircraft only ascended to about 30 feet above ground level before the crash. Newly released images from the National Transportation Safety Board reveal a fire erupting from the left engine.

5 ON BOARD AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT HOSPITALIZED AFTER ODOR DIVERTS PLANE

Fire and smoke mark where a UPS cargo plane crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on November 04, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. The fully fueled plane crashed shortly after takeoff. (Stephen Cohen/Getty Images / Getty Images)

UPS temporarily grounded the fleet immediately following the crash and began working to comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines before resuming operations.

Initially, the process was expected to take weeks, but it has now been extended to several months, as noted in a memo from UPS Airlines president Bill Moore.

“Regarding the MD-11 fleet, Boeing’s ongoing evaluation shows that inspections and potential repairs will be more extensive than initially expected,” Moore stated in the memo.

TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY LAUNCHES CIVILITY CAMPAIGN AS UNRULY PASSENGER INCIDENTS SURGE 400%

UPS temporarily grounded a fleet of cargo planes immediately following a crash on Nov. 4, which killed 14 people.  (Credit: X / @WT_Mason)

On November 7, UPS announced the grounding of its MD-11 fleet “out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of safety.” These planes represent approximately 9% of the airline’s total fleet.

“Contingency plans are in place to ensure we can continue to deliver the reliable service our customers around the world count on,” UPS stated in an earlier announcement.

In the wake of the crash, the FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive to owners and operators of the Boeing Company Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, citing concerns about potential unsafe conditions in other aircraft.

Following the incident, FedEx also announced it would be grounding its MD-11s.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

The Nov. 4 crash happened near the UPS Worldport at the Louisville Airport. (Google Maps)

Fox Business has reached out to UPS for further comments.