• UPS and FedEx have grounded their MD-11 cargo fleets following a deadly crash in Kentucky.
• The crash killed 14 people, including three pilots, shortly after takeoff.
• The FAA has issued an emergency order prohibiting MD-11 flights pending inspections.
• Boeing recommended the grounding to all operators of MD-11 freighters.
• UPS resumed partial operations with contingency plans for package handling.

Following a deadly crash at the UPS Worldport in Louisville, Kentucky, UPS and FedEx decided to ground their fleets of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo planes. The tragic incident, which occurred shortly after takeoff, resulted in the deaths of 14 individuals, including the three pilots onboard. UPS confirmed that the crash was "out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of safety," a statement echoed by FedEx, which has also suspended operations of its MD-11 fleet as it conducts a safety review, according to SCMP, Channel News Asia, and LA Times.

The crash of the MD-11, which was on a flight to Honolulu, resulted in a significant explosion upon impact with businesses near the airport. Notably, the left engine detached during the takeoff, a condition that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has stated could endanger flight safety. As a result, the FAA issued an emergency order on Saturday that prohibits MD-11 flight operations until inspections and any necessary corrections are performed, as reported by SFGate, Reuters, and The Hill.

Boeing, which merged with McDonnell Douglas in 1997, supports the FAA's directive and has advised all MD-11 operators to halt flights to allow for a thorough investigation and engineering analysis. UPS's MD-11 fleet comprises approximately 9% of its total airline capacity, while FedEx operates 28 MD-11s out of a larger fleet, according to India Times and LA Times.

As investigations continue, additional insights are expected regarding the cause of the accident and the previous maintenance performed on the aircraft, which had recently undergone extensive checks. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, but early reports indicate that the cockpit's warning systems may have alerted the crew to issues before the crash, resulting in multiple angles of video evidence capturing the fiery incident. The preliminary findings suggest that significant technical failures may have contributed to the aircraft's inability to perform safe takeoff procedures, as highlighted by aviation experts, according to Channel News Asia, LA Times, and The Hill.