Fox Business·2025-11-28 07:24Core Viewpoint - UPS Airlines has indefinitely grounded its entire fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo jets, anticipating significant disruptions during the peak holiday season due to safety concerns following a recent crash [1][6][9]. Group 1: Incident Details - The UPS cargo plane's engine detached and ignited shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, resulting in a crash that killed 14 individuals, including three crew members and 11 people on the ground [2]. - Black box data revealed that the plane only ascended to approximately 30 feet above ground before the crash, with images showing a fire on the left engine [3]. Group 2: Operational Impact - Following the crash, UPS temporarily grounded its MD-11 fleet and began compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines, initially expecting a return to service within weeks, but this has now extended to several months due to more extensive inspections and repairs than anticipated [6][9]. - The MD-11 fleet constitutes about 9% of UPS Airlines' total fleet, and the company has implemented contingency plans to maintain reliable service for its customers during this disruption [9]. Group 3: Regulatory Response - The FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive to operators of MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, indicating that the unsafe condition could potentially affect other aircraft [10]. - FedEx also announced it would ground its MD-11s following the crash, reflecting industry-wide safety concerns [10].