Overview
- Both carriers said the stand‑down was an extreme precaution made at the aircraft manufacturer’s recommendation, with MD‑11s comprising about 9% of UPS’s fleet and 4% of FedEx’s.
- The NTSB said a cockpit alarm sounded shortly after the takeoff power call, the alert continued for roughly 25 seconds, and the jet crashed with the left wing ablaze and that engine detached.
- Authorities have reported at least 12 deaths; AP reports 14 fatalities including the three pilots, and local police said at least 11 people were injured.
- Investigators are analyzing flight recorders, radar data, and widely shared videos that appear to show the aircraft flying low without its left engine before impact.
- Records indicate the MD‑11 underwent maintenance while parked in San Antonio through mid‑October, and officials cautioned that full findings and the cockpit voice transcript will take months.