UPS, FedEx ground MD-11 fleets after deadly Kentucky crash

UPS and FedEx announced late Friday they are grounding their fleets of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo planes following a fatal crash earlier this week at UPS’s global air hub in Louisville, Kentucky.

The crash Tuesday at UPS Worldport killed 14 people, including the three pilots aboard the MD-11, which was bound for Honolulu.

Both shipping giants described the move as a precautionary step taken “out of an abundance of caution” after receiving a recommendation from the aircraft’s manufacturer.

“We made this decision proactively at the recommendation of the aircraft manufacturer,” UPS said in a statement. “Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our employees and the communities we serve.”

FedEx said in a separate statement that it will keep its MD-11 aircraft grounded while it conducts “a thorough safety review based on the recommendation of the manufacturer.”

MD-11 jets represent about 9% of UPS’s air fleet and roughly 4% of FedEx’s, according to the companies.