UPS struggling to fulfil holiday deliveries after deadly cargo plane crash that killed 14

The grounding of MD-11 freighter jets following a deadly crash in Kentucky poses a significant operational challenge for major cargo carriers UPS and FedEx, threatening to disrupt critical holiday season deliveries. The incident, which occurred on November 4th and resulted in 14 fatalities, including the three-person flight crew, led the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to indefinitely ground all MD-11s and related DC-10s. This unprecedented move creates an immediate capacity crunch for the logistics giants as they prepare for their busiest period of the year.

Safety investigators from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) quickly identified fatigue cracks in the structure attaching the turbofan engine to the wing as a potential cause of the Kentucky crash. Shocking footage captured the 34-year-old cargo plane flying erratically before impacting the ground. The grounding affects 26 of UPS's MD-11s, representing approximately 9% of its fleet, and 28 of FedEx's, about 4% of its air-cargo operations, alongside the 10 remaining DC-10s.

Logistics experts, including Derek Lossing of Cirrus Global Advisors, confirm the severe impact, stating that carriers were relying on these aircraft for holiday volumes. The incident could accelerate the retirement of the aging MD-11 fleet, which averages over 30 years old, as the cost of FAA-mandated repairs and potential design flaws are assessed. Former US Department of Transportation Inspector General Mary Schiavo suggests that repairs may not be economically viable given the availability of newer, more efficient aircraft from manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus, despite their current production backlogs.

The FAA is collaborating with the NTSB and Boeing, the company that acquired the MD-11 manufacturer in 1997, to determine the necessary actions. This situation underscores the ongoing challenges for air cargo operators balancing fleet modernization, operational demands, and stringent safety regulations, particularly during peak demand periods. The long-term implications for global air freight capacity and fleet renewal strategies remain a key focus for the industry.