In brief
UPS’s entire fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft, grounded after a tragic crash in Louisville, Kentucky, is projected to remain inactive for several months, as the company works to comply with FAA guidelines. A recent internal memo revealed that inspections and potential repairs are anticipated to take longer than initially expected, prompting contingency plans for holiday package deliveries.
A fleet of planes that UPS grounded following a deadly crash is not expected to return to service during the peak holiday season due to inspections and possible repairs, according to an internal memo disclosed by the company on Wednesday.
The memo, from UPS Airlines president Bill Moore, emphasized that the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 fleet is anticipated to remain grounded for several months as the airline works to fulfill Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements. Originally, the process was thought to take only weeks, but extensive inspections have altered that timeline significantly.
The MD-11 accident on November 4 in Louisville, Kentucky, resulted in the loss of 14 lives and injuries to at least 23 individuals after a left engine malfunction caused the aircraft to crash during takeoff. Consequently, cargo airlines, including UPS, preemptively grounded their MD-11 fleets in response to the rising safety concerns and an FAA directive.
In his memo, Moore noted that Boeing's ongoing evaluation has revealed that the necessary inspections and potential repairs will be more extensive than previously anticipated.
A spokesperson for UPS assured that the company is implementing contingency plans to ensure customer deliveries remain uninterrupted throughout the busy holiday season, emphasizing the commitment to ensuring the safety of all aircraft before they return to service.
The UPS fleet holds 109 MD-11 aircraft, which serve primarily as cargo carriers and represent about 9% of the company’s total airline fleet and 4% of FedEx’s fleet. These airplanes have an average operational age of over 30 years.
Boeing, the manufacturer of the MD-11 following its acquisition of McDonnell Douglas in 1997, has stated it is dedicated to providing the necessary technical support and guidance to operators for compliance with FAA's requirements for inspections and corrective actions.
