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FAA Grounds MD-11 Fleet for Inspections After Deadly UPS Crash in Louisville

The order requires structural checks with corrective actions completed before the tri-jets return to service.

Overview

  • UPS and FedEx had already parked their MD-11s after Boeing advised operators to suspend flights.
  • Early NTSB findings indicate the left engine and its pylon separated during takeoff, with a cockpit warning bell sounding for about 25 seconds.
  • The crash killed 14 people, including all three pilots, and Louisville’s mayor says no one is now believed unaccounted for.
  • The grounding affects about 26 UPS and 28 FedEx aircraft, a small share of their fleets, as both carriers activate contingency plans to keep shipments moving.
  • Investigators recovered both flight recorders, are reviewing recent heavy maintenance, and expect a preliminary report within about 30 days.