FAA bars MD-11 flights for now after fiery UPS jet crash [View all]

Source: Reuters

November 8, 2025 6:37 PM EST Updated 1 hour ago


WASHINGTON, Nov 8 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Saturday issued an order prohibiting MD-11 planes from flying for now, pending inspection, after a fiery crash this week of a UPS (UPS.N) MD-11 cargo freighter killed at least 14 people in Louisville, Kentucky.

UPS and FedEx (FDX.N) said they have already grounded their combined fleet of more than 50 McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo planes following a recommendation by planemaker Boeing (BA.N).

The FAA said its emergency airworthiness directive was prompted by the crash on Tuesday in which the left engine and pylon detached from the airplane during takeoff. The cause of the detachment is under investigation.

"This condition could result in loss of continued safe flight and landing," the U.S. regulator said. UPS said it was in compliance with the directive because it has grounded its fleet of 26 MD-11 planes, representing about 9% of its fleet. Boeing said on Saturday that it supports the FAA order.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/faa-issues-order-prohibiting-md-11-flights-pending-inspection-after-fiery-ups-2025-11-08/