UPS has temporarily grounded its MD-11 fleet following a tragic crash in Kentucky that resulted in 14 fatalities. The incident occurred on Tuesday (November 5) when a 34-year-old MD-11 cargo plane exploded shortly after takeoff from Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville. The crash site, spanning half a mile, revealed the bodies of 14 victims, including a grandfather and his three-year-old granddaughter.
The plane, operated by UPS, was bound for Honolulu, Hawaii, with three crew members on board. During takeoff, the left engine detached from the wing, causing the aircraft to crash into nearby buildings. The crash resulted in a massive fire fueled by the 38,000 gallons of fuel on board.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash, having recovered the plane’s black boxes. Preliminary findings suggest the crew attempted to control the aircraft for 25 seconds before the crash. The NTSB is working to produce a transcript of the cockpit voice recorder audio, which will be made public in the coming months.
In response to the crash, UPS has grounded its MD-11 fleet, which constitutes about 9% of its aircraft. FedEx has also grounded its 28 MD-11 planes, following Boeing’s recommendation for further engineering analysis on the aircraft. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
Recent Comments