UPS has officially retired its fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo planes, months after a tragic crash in Louisville, Kentucky, claimed 15 lives. The 04 November 2026 incident, which occurred during takeoff at the Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), involved a UPS MD-11 whose left engine detached mid-air, causing the aircraft to climb only about 30 feet before crashing. The disaster killed all three crew members on board and 12 individuals on the ground.
The crash had a severe impact on surrounding facilities, triggering smaller explosions at a nearby Kentucky Petroleum Recycling plant and striking Grade A Auto Parts, an auto salvage yard where several victims were present. The National Transportation Safety Board later revealed that cracks had developed in critical engine-mount components of the plane. These flaws were not detected during routine maintenance, and the last inspection of the affected parts took place in 2021.
In response to the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded all MD-11 aircraft. The agency is still reviewing the incident and evaluating the safety of returning MD-11s to service.
MD-11s represented roughly 9% of UPS’s overall fleet. The company recorded an after-tax charge of $137 million to account for the aircraft being written off. UPS emphasized that the decision to retire the planes was accelerated by the crash and aligned with plans to modernize its fleet.
To compensate for the loss and maintain operational capacity, UPS will take delivery of 18 new Boeing 767 aircraft over the next 15 months. During the peak holiday season following the crash, the company deployed planes from other regions, increased ground transportation, and leased additional aircraft to meet shipping demands.
The crash and subsequent fleet retirement mark a significant turning point for UPS’s cargo operations. The company acknowledged the efforts of its Louisville-based Worldport team in responding to the incident, highlighting the collaboration of local authorities, business partners, and the community in supporting recovery efforts.
The retirement of the MD-11 fleet underscores growing concerns over aging aircraft and the importance of rigorous maintenance standards, particularly for older cargo planes. As UPS transitions to newer aircraft models, the company aims to reinforce both operational safety and logistical efficiency while addressing the long-term needs of its global shipping network.