UPS and FedEx temporarily suspend MD-11 aircraft operations after Kentucky mishap

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Subsequent to a catastrophic incident at the UPS aviation hub in Kentucky, UPS and FedEx have declared they will temporarily suspend their usage of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 planes as a precautionary action, as reported on Friday evening.

These MD-11 planes constitute around 9% of UPS's total airline fleet and account for 4% of FedEx's aircraft inventory.

"This decision was taken proactively following the advice of the manufacturer," UPS officials stated. "The security of our workforce and the communities we operate in is our top priority."

FedEx echoed this sentiment via an email, noting they intend to halt these aircrafts as they embark on a comprehensive safety evaluation as advocated by the manufacturer.

Despite inquiries, Boeing, which absorbed McDonnell Douglas in 1997, has yet to clarify their reasoning for this recommendation.

Details of the Crash

The Tuesday crash at UPS Worldport in Louisville tragically resulted in the loss of 14 lives, among them the three crew members of the MD-11 en route to Honolulu.

National Transportation Safety Board's Todd Inman indicated that shortly before lift-off, a critical warning bell rang in the cockpit. This alarm persisted for 25 seconds while the crew struggled with an emergent blaze on the left wing and an absent engine, leading to a catastrophic impact.

The cockpit voice recorder registered the alarm approximately 37 seconds consecutively after initiating thrust for takeoff. Inman suggested the investigation into the alarm's cause is ongoing, primarily focusing on the disengagement of the left-side engine amid the fire.

Investigation and Insight

A full transcript of the cockpit recording is pending public release as the inquiry progresses over forthcoming months.

Former federal crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti opined that the alarm likely indicated an engine fire, noting the critical timing relative to the takeoff script, potentially limiting crew response options.

Captured dramatic footage across various sources like phones and security systems aids the investigators, providing comprehensive perspectives on the incident.

Fleet Maintenance and Operations

This particular MD-11 had been grounded in San Antonio for maintenance over a month, concluding mid-October; however, specifics of maintenance activities remain unclear.

In Louisville, UPS’s principal package handling hub operates over 300 flights every day, processing over 400,000 packages per hour, with a considerable workforce exceeding 20,000.

Operations resumed at UPS Worldport by Wednesday night, concentrating on their night sorting process, as affirmed by spokesperson Jim Mayer.