UPS and FedEx Halt MD-11 Cargo Flights After Louisville Crash
UPS and FedEx have grounded their fleets of MD-11 cargo aircraft today following a fatal plane crash at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport yesterday.
The crash occurred on November 7, 2025, at approximately 11:30 PM EST, when a UPS MD-11 cargo plane went down shortly after takeoff. Three pilots were on board, and all were fatally injured. UPS has identified the pilots as Captain Robert Hughes, First Officer Matthew Johnson, and Second Officer Emily Carter. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash.
UPS announced it was grounding its MD-11 fleet “out of an abundance of caution,” while FedEx followed suit, halting operations of its MD-11 aircraft as well. This action impacts a significant portion of both companies’ air cargo capacity, potentially leading to delays in shipments during the peak holiday season. The MD-11 is a widely used aircraft for long-haul, heavy cargo transport; its grounding will likely affect global supply chains. More information about air safety regulations can be found at the Federal Aviation Administration website.
“Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and colleagues of the pilots,” a UPS spokesperson stated. “We are fully cooperating with the authorities in their investigation.” The NTSB will be looking into all aspects of the flight, including maintenance records and weather conditions, as part of their investigation, as detailed in their investigation process.
Officials stated that the investigation is expected to take several months to complete, and further updates will be provided as they become available.
