US Airlines Ground MD-11 Cargo Planes Following Kentucky Crash
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UPS Cargo Plane Crash in Louisville: examination Reveals Cockpit Struggle,Fleet Grounded
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updated november 8,2025,10:22:54 AM EST
What happened?
A UPS mcdonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville International Airport in kentucky on Tuesday,August 9,2013,resulting in a fireball and the deaths of at least 14 people. The crash prompted both UPS and FedEx to ground thier combined fleet of over 50 MD-11 aircraft “out of an abundance of caution.”
Initial reports indicated the death toll has risen to 14,as confirmed by Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg via a post on X (formerly Twitter) on August 10,2013 (Source: Mayor Greenberg’s X post).
Investigation Reveals Cockpit Control Struggle
recent findings from US safety investigators suggest a struggle for control of the aircraft occurred in the cockpit just before the crash. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB),three UPS pilots attempted to wrestle control of the plane as a warning bell sounded. NBC News reported on these findings.
The NTSB member Todd Inman stated that a repeating bell was audible on the cockpit voice recorder just 37 seconds after the crew initiated takeoff thrust. (Source: NBC News)
The NTSB anticipates releasing a preliminary investigation report within approximately 30 days of the initial findings.
Fleet Grounding and Safety Concerns
Both UPS and FedEx voluntarily grounded their MD-11 fleets following the crash. This decision reflects a standard safety precaution taken by major cargo carriers in the wake of such incidents. The grounding affects a significant portion of their air cargo capacity.
| Airline | MD-11 fleet Size (Approx. 2013) |
|---|---|
| UPS | ~34 |
| FedEx | ~19 |
| Total | ~53+ |
The MD-11, a tri-jet wide-body aircraft, was a workhorse for cargo operations for many years. However, it has a history of safety concerns, including incidents related to its flight control system. Aviation Safety Network provides a detailed history of MD-11 incidents.
Previous UPS Cargo Plane Crash
The August 9, 2013 crash wasn’t the first incident involving a UPS cargo plane. In August 2013,