UPS, FedEx ground MD-11F fleets

UPS’ fleet of twenty-six MD-11Fs is parked at sixteen locations after the company temporarily grounded the type as the NTSB continues its investigation into the fatal crash of UPS flight 2976 on Nov. 4. UPS decided to ground the type, representing approximately 9% of the UPS Airlines fleet, out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of safety, effective immediately, the company confirmed to Cargo Facts in a statement. [caption id="attachment_56866998" align="aligncenter" width="1235"] UPS had twenty-six MD-11Fs in service after the crash. (Courtesy/UPS)[/caption] UPS made the decision proactively at the recommendation of the aircraft manufacturer, it said, adding that nothing is more important than the safety of its employees and the communities it serves. Contingency plans are in place to ensure UPS can continue to deliver its services, the integrator said. At the time of publication, UPS’ twenty-six MD-11Fs are on the ground at sixteen locations: Five units (48405, 48418, 48539, 48473 and 48744) are at the UPS hub in Louisville, Ky. (SDF); Five units (48404, 48416, 48541, 48579 and 48800) are in Ontario, Calif. (ONT); Two units (48406 and 48540) are in Honolulu (HNL); One unit (48574) is in Atlanta (ATL); One unit (48451) is in Chicago (ORD); One unit (48439) is in Columbia, S.C. (CAE); One unit (48575) is in Houston (IAH); One unit (48566) is in Miami (MIA); One unit (48782) is in Minneapolis (MSP); One unit (48806) is in Philadelphia (PHL); One unit (48774) is in Phoenix (PHX) One unit (48453) is in Tampa, Fla. (TPA); One unit (48455) is in Seattle (BFI); One unit (48577) is in San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU); One unit (48768) is in Toronto (YYZ); and Two units (48472 and 48745) are in maintenance at the San Antonio Aerospace facility in San Antonio (SAT). Meanwhile, FedEx has also grounded its fleet of around thirty MD-11Fs, it said in a similar statement. Left engine The NTSB is focusing on the left wing and engine of the CF6-powered, 1991-vintage unit 48417. The aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder indicated that the takeoff was uneventful for the first thirty seconds or so after the pilots applied thrust, NTSB Board Member Todd Inman said during a briefing today. Then, a persistent ringing bell continued for the remaining twenty-five seconds of the recording, he said. Video footage showed that the left pylon was still attached to the left engine at the point of separation from the wing, Inman said. The left CF6 detached from the aircraft and was found next to runway 17R after the crash . Videos posted on social media show unit 48417 missing its left engine and with its left wing on fire. The death toll has risen to fourteen, including the three crew members of the flight, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said in a social media post. UPS was one of three remaining carriers operating MD-11Fs. Prior to today, there were about sixty-five active MD-11Fs in service: FedEx had thirty-four units in its fleet as of Aug. 31; UPS had twenty-six after the crash; and Western Global Airlines had five of its thirteen units active in the past ninety days. Cargo Facts LATAM 2026, the essential event for stakeholders in Latin America, will take place Feb. 10-12 at the Marquis Reforma in Mexico City. Learn more and register by Dec. 26 to take advantage of early-bird pricing. [Edited to add that FedEx has also grounded its MD-11F fleet.]

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