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The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an emergency order requiring immediate inspections of all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft following a deadly crash in Louisville, Kentucky. The move effectively grounds the global fleet of the venerable cargo plane, operated primarily by UPS and FedEx.
The decision came after a UPS MD-11 freighter crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. According to multiple reports, the fiery accident resulted in at least 14 fatalities, including the three crew members on board. The aircraft was reportedly laden with fuel at the time of the incident.
In response to the disaster, the FAA published an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) prohibiting further flights until specific safety inspections are completed. While the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the directive signals a potential concern about a systemic issue with the aircraft model. The MD-11, a three-engine wide-body jet, has been a workhorse of the air cargo industry for decades.
Both UPS and FedEx, the world's largest operators of the MD-11, have confirmed they are complying with the directive. In statements, the logistics giants announced they are grounding their fleets of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 planes out of an abundance of caution and in cooperation with the FAA's order. This proactive grounding will likely cause significant disruptions to global supply chains, as the MD-11 is crucial for long-haul international freight routes.
The developments have unfolded rapidly throughout the week, with the NTSB on-site in Louisville to retrieve the flight data and cockpit voice recorders. The investigation will focus on determining the root cause of the structural failure or system malfunction that led to the tragic accident, and the findings will be critical in deciding the future of the remaining MD-11 aircraft in service.
