The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an emergency airworthiness directive grounding all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 and MD-11F aircraft pending structural inspections, following the fatal crash of a UPS freighter in Louisville, Kentucky.
The order, issued as Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2025-23-51, comes four days after UPS Flight 2976, operated by the MD-11F registration N259UP, crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), killing 14 people, including all three crew and 11 on the ground.
According to the FAA, inspections and any corrective actions must be completed “before further flight.” The agency warned that the condition identified after the crash could “compromise the aircraft’s ability to remain under control and land safely.”
UPS and FedEx ground their MD-11 fleets
The directive formalizes a step already taken by the two largest MD-11 operators. UPS and FedEx had grounded their combined fleets of around 50 aircraft after Boeing, which inherited the program through its merger with McDonnell Douglas, advised a precautionary halt.
UPS operates 26 MD-11s, and FedEx operates 28, representing approximately 9% and 4% of their respective fleets. Both carriers stated that they are transitioning their operations to Boeing 767 and 777 freighters, although some delays are expected. Western Global Airlines, the only other US operator, has already parked most of its aircraft.
First flown in 1990, the MD-11 ended production in 2000 and now serves mainly as a cargo aircraft. Around 100 remain active worldwide, mostly with UPS and FedEx.
The tri-jet has a history of challenging handling characteristics and several high-profile accidents, including FedEx Flight 80 in Tokyo and Lufthansa Cargo Flight 8460 in Riyadh. Both FedEx and UPS had already planned to retire the type in favor of newer, more efficient freighters, a process that may now accelerate.
Cargo disruption expected
The grounding removes a key share of long-haul cargo capacity during the holiday shipping peak. UPS and FedEx say they can reroute shipments, but network disruptions are likely until inspections are complete.
All MD-11s will remain grounded until operators meet FAA requirements. The NTSB’s investigation will determine whether further actions are needed across the aging fleet.
Investigators focus on engine separation
Preliminary findings suggest the left engine and its pylon detached during takeoff. Video shows the aircraft climbing briefly before rolling left and crashing into nearby buildings, triggering a major fire.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recovered the flight recorders, and early analysis indicates a continuous cockpit warning bell before impact. Investigators are also reviewing recent maintenance at ST Engineering in Texas, where structural repairs were carried out weeks before the crash.
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