UPS grounds planes indefinitely after deadly crash

KTLA • November 27, 2025 • business

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UPS Airlines has grounded its entire McDonnell Douglas MD-11 fleet indefinitely for inspections and possible repairs following a deadly crash, with the process now expected to take several months, extending through the peak delivery season.
The grounding follows a fiery crash on November 4 in Louisville, Kentucky, where an MD-11 lost its left engine during takeoff, killing 14 people and injuring at least 23.
The 109 remaining MD-11 aircraft, averaging over 30 years old, represent about 9% of UPS's fleet and 4% of FedEx's, and are exclusively used for cargo transport.
Boeing is working on providing inspection instructions and technical support to operators to comply with FAA guidelines, while the