MD-11 Fleet Grounded Through Holiday Season Following Crash

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 fleet will remain grounded throughout the peak holiday travel season due to ongoing inspections and repairs. The grounding affects both the FedEx and UPS Airlines fleets, which will not see these aircraft in operation for the remainder of 2023. This decision follows a tragic crash on November 4, 2023, during which three crew members and eleven bystanders lost their lives when the aircraft crashed shortly after take-off from Louisville, Kentucky.

Both FedEx and UPS Airlines grounded their entire MD-11 fleets in response to the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is conducting a thorough review of the aircraft, which is expected to take several months to complete. Initially, it was anticipated that the grounding would only last a few weeks. According to a memo from Bill Moore, president of UPS Airlines, the evaluation process is proving to be more extensive than expected.

“Regarding the MD-11 fleet, Boeing’s ongoing evaluation shows that inspections and potential repairs will be more extensive than initially expected,” Moore stated. The aircraft involved in the crash, registered as N259UP, experienced a catastrophic failure of its left engine and pylon assembly shortly after departure from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.

Impact on Holiday Shipping Operations

As the holiday season approaches, UPS Airlines is implementing contingency plans to ensure its operations continue smoothly. This period typically sees a significant increase in e-commerce and online shopping, intensifying the need for expedited shipping of last-minute items. The demand for perishable goods and high-value items further drives the need for effective cargo services throughout this time.

The MD-11, while now primarily used for cargo operations, has a long history in commercial aviation. The aircraft, which first flew in January 1990, was initially used by passenger airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and KLM before being phased out of passenger service. The last scheduled passenger MD-11 flight occurred in 2014, with KLM retiring the aircraft in favor of more fuel-efficient models.

Future of the MD-11 Fleet

Despite its age, the MD-11 remains an integral part of the fleets operated by FedEx and UPS. The aircraft has been valued for its cargo capacity and cost-efficiency, making it a popular choice among freight carriers. FedEx and UPS utilize the MD-11 to represent approximately 4% and 11% of their respective fleets. However, both carriers plan to retire the MD-11 in the coming years, with FedEx aiming to phase out the aircraft by 2032.

In light of recent events, Boeing is working closely with the FAA to ensure proper technical support and to develop necessary procedures for inspections and potential repairs. The future of the MD-11 fleet hangs in the balance as these evaluations unfold, with the possibility of extended ground time impacting shipping operations significantly during the busy holiday season.