The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a directive on Saturday, instructing MD-11 aircraft to cease operations for inspection after a fatal UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville, Ky., resulting in at least 14 fatalities. Both UPS and FedEx have proactively grounded their combined fleet of over 50 McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo planes, following Boeing’s recommendation.
The FAA’s emergency airworthiness directive was prompted by the recent crash, where the left engine and pylon of the aircraft detached during takeoff. The cause of the detachment is currently under investigation, with the FAA warning that this issue could jeopardize flight safety.
UPS confirmed compliance with the FAA directive by grounding its 26 MD-11 planes, accounting for about nine percent of its total fleet. Boeing expressed support for the FAA order, highlighting its ownership of the MD-11 program following the merger with McDonnell Douglas in 1997.
Authorities anticipate that comprehensive engine and pylon inspections will be necessary before allowing the affected planes to resume service. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is spearheading the investigation into the crash of the 34-year-old MD-11 freighter in Louisville, where the aircraft, carrying three occupants, crashed during departure for Honolulu from UPS’s aviation hub.
According to Todd Inman from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, a significant fire broke out in the left wing shortly after takeoff, with airport security footage capturing the left engine separating from the wing during the takeoff roll. Despite gaining enough altitude to clear the runway fence, the plane ultimately crashed, engulfed in flames that extended to neighboring establishments.
Recent revelations by U.S. safety investigators suggest that the three UPS pilots aboard attempted to regain control of the aircraft just before the tragic crash.