The shipping giant temporarily suspended its MD-11 aircraft following a fiery crash that killed 14 people in Louisville
UPS announced it is temporarily grounding part of its aircraft fleet after a cargo plane crashed into flames shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky earlier this week. The company suspended operations of its McDonnell Douglas MD-11 planes out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of safety.
MD-11s comprise approximately 9% of the UPS fleet, making the grounding a significant operational decision for the shipping giant. The company made the move proactively based on recommendations from the aircraft manufacturer as investigators work to determine what caused the deadly crash.
NTSB reveals final cockpit moments
The National Transportation Safety Board shared new details about the crash on Friday, providing information about the final moments in the cockpit based on audio from the cockpit voice recorder. The plane crew attempted to control the aircraft for approximately 25 seconds before it crashed.
Todd Inman, an NTSB official, explained that the crew had completed their standard checklist and briefing, with the takeoff roll proceeding normally. About 37 seconds after the crew called for takeoff thrust, a repeating bell was heard on the cockpit voice recorder.
The bell persisted until the recording ended 25 seconds later when the plane is believed to have crashed. During this time, the crew engaged in efforts to attempt to control the aircraft before impact. Inman suggested the bell may have indicated a fire, as was evident from footage of the incident, but cautioned against speculation.
Flight details and mechanical failure
UPS Flight 2976 crashed around 5:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday. The plane was headed to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu when the left engine detached after a large plume of fire erupted from the plane’s left wing.
Inman explained that the bulk of the left engine pylon remained attached to the left engine when it separated from the wing. Both components are now in a secure facility undergoing examination by investigators.
The NTSB discovered additional pieces of the engine attachment in grass near the runway. Investigators planned to conduct another sweep with metal detectors to ensure all evidence was collected from the scene.
Death toll reaches 14 victims
As crews continued searching through a half-mile of charred debris, another victim was located at the crash site on Friday. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed that the discovery brought the death toll to 14 people, with the three pilots on board believed to be among those killed.
The mayor expressed prayers for each victim’s family and hoped no additional victims would be found as first responders continued searching and seeking answers. As of Thursday, nine individuals believed to have been near the scene at the time of the crash were reported missing.
FedEx follows with safety measures
On Saturday, FedEx announced they would also ground their 28 MD-11s currently in operation. The decision affects a small portion of the approximately 700 aircraft in the FedEx fleet but demonstrates the serious nature of the safety concerns.
FedEx emphasized that safety is their highest priority and made the decision to immediately ground their MD-11 fleet out of an abundance of caution. The grounding allows for a thorough safety review based on manufacturer recommendations.
The company stated they are implementing contingency plans within their integrated air-ground network to minimize disruptions. FedEx teams are focused on delivering the highest standards of safety and service for customers and team members during the fleet suspension.
Investigation continues
The NTSB will work to produce a written transcript of the cockpit voice recorder audio, which will be made public likely several months from now. The flight data recorder data and examinations by investigation groups will provide more detailed information and help paint a clearer picture of what occurred.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation as officials analyze all available evidence, including the cockpit recordings, engine components and debris field. The grounding of MD-11 aircraft by both major shipping companies underscores the gravity of the situation and commitment to preventing similar tragedies.
As the investigation progresses, the aviation industry and shipping companies await findings that could lead to safety improvements and prevent future accidents. The Louisville community continues mourning the victims while supporting first responders and investigators working to understand what went wrong during that fateful takeoff.
