**UPS Temporarily Grounds Part of Its Air Fleet Following Deadly Cargo Plane Crash in Kentucky**
UPS has temporarily grounded a portion of its air fleet after a tragic crash involving one of its cargo planes resulted in the deaths of at least 14 people in Kentucky. The decision impacts approximately 9 percent of the company’s aircraft.
“Out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of safety, we have made the decision to temporarily ground our MD-11 fleet. MD-11s are approximately 9% of the UPS Airlines fleet,” the company said in an official statement.
The grounding is effective immediately. UPS added, “We made this decision proactively at the recommendation of the aircraft manufacturer. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our employees and the communities we serve. Contingency plans are in place to ensure we can continue to deliver the reliable service our customers around the world count on.”
### Why It Matters
This grounding highlights the fragility of the U.S. supply chain as the country heads into the busy holiday season. UPS is one of the nation’s largest air cargo carriers, and any disruption to its operations could delay deliveries and impact businesses that depend on rapid shipping.
### Crash Details
On Tuesday, UPS Airlines Flight 2976, an MD-11 aircraft, crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky. The flight was bound for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii.
At least 14 people lost their lives in the crash, including pilots Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Captain Dana Diamond.
The incident occurred around 3 a.m. local time with three crew members onboard. Moments after takeoff, the plane’s left wing reportedly caught fire and an engine detached, causing the wide-body freighter to crash to the ground and erupt into a massive fireball.
### Industry Response and Investigation
In response to the accident, rival FedEx also grounded its fleet of 28 MD-11 planes as a precautionary measure.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the aircraft’s maintenance history. Notably, the jet had recently undergone repairs in Texas. Early NTSB findings suggest that the engine—not the wing—detached mid-flight, though the exact cause of the crash remains under review.
### Legal Actions Filed
The day following the crash, a class-action lawsuit was filed against UPS, Boeing, and General Electric. The lawsuit alleges that the companies’ “recklessness” led to the tragedy.
According to the complaint, filed by local resident Shakeara Ware, auto shop Triple D, Inc., and property owner Ensey LLC, the defendants’ actions have caused “trauma, fear and uncertainty” among plaintiffs and many Kentuckians. The suit seeks damages for emotional distress, business interruption, revenue losses, lost wages, and property damage.
The lawsuit also criticizes the MD-11 aircraft model and its CF-6 engines, citing a troubling safety history. It alleges that the plane has been linked to multiple catastrophic failures and ranks among the least reliable commercial aircraft still in service.
The complaint references previous MD-11 crashes, including a 2009 FedEx disaster in Tokyo, along with several CF-6 engine-related accidents over the decades. It suggests that similar mechanical defects “caused or contributed” to the Louisville crash.
### Ongoing Investigations
No definitive conclusions have been reached regarding the cause of the crash. Investigations and analysis by the NTSB and other authorities are ongoing.
UPS and related parties have vowed full cooperation with investigators as efforts continue to uncover what led to this devastating event.
https://www.newsweek.com/ups-grounds-planes-after-deadly-crash-11014977