UPS and FedEx Ground MD-11 Fleets After Fatal Crash in Louisville
UPS and FedEx temporarily grounded their fleets of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft following a deadly crash at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on November 4, 2025.
The crash resulted in 14 fatalities, including three pilots from UPS Flight 123, which was en route to Honolulu. UPS identified the victims as Capt. Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Capt. Dana Diamond.
UPS stated in a released statement that the decision to ground the MD-11 fleet was made out of an abundance of caution and at the recommendation of the aircraft manufacturer. The grounding is effective immediately, with UPS emphasizing that safety remains their top priority. Contingency plans are in place to maintain delivery operations.
FedEx also announced it will ground its MD-11 fleet for a thorough safety review based on the manufacturer's recommendations. MD-11 aircraft account for approximately 9% of UPS's and 4% of FedEx's fleets.
The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation into the incident, recovering crucial evidence, including a cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. NTSB member Todd Inman stated that recovery efforts are ongoing and emphasized the investigation's importance.
UPS Executive Vice President Nando Cesarone expressed condolences, stating, “Our hearts go out to every UPSer who has been impacted and all in our Louisville community.”
This tragedy underscores the ongoing commitment to aviation safety by both UPS and FedEx.