UPS Retires Fleet of Aircraft Involved in Deadly Crash

Cargo company 'accelerates' plans to retire MD-11 aircraft after November incident that killed 15 people.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 6:47am

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UPS has announced that it has retired its entire fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo planes, just months after one of the aircraft crashed during takeoff in Louisville, Kentucky, resulting in 15 fatalities. The company said it decided to "accelerate our plans and retire all MD-11 aircraft in our fleet" following the November 4th incident, which saw the plane's left engine fall off, causing it to climb only 30 feet before crashing.

Why it matters

The crash highlighted safety concerns around the aging MD-11 aircraft, which had been involved in several incidents in recent years. UPS' decision to retire the entire fleet signals a shift towards newer, safer aircraft models as the company looks to rebuild public trust and ensure the safety of its operations.

The details

Investigators found cracks in some of the parts that held the engine to the wing of the UPS plane, which had not been caught during regular maintenance. The Federal Aviation Administration subsequently grounded all MD-11s after the crash, and UPS has now taken the step to permanently retire the aircraft from its fleet. The company incurred a $137 million after-tax charge in writing off the MD-11s, but says it will be receiving 18 new Boeing 767s over the next 15 months to replace them.

  • The November 4, 2026 crash killed the plane's three-person crew and 12 others on the ground just outside the Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville.
  • UPS announced the retirement of its MD-11 fleet on January 28, 2026, during its fourth-quarter earnings call.

The players

Carol Tome

The CEO of UPS, who announced the company's decision to accelerate the retirement of its MD-11 aircraft fleet.

Federal Aviation Administration

The agency that grounded all MD-11 aircraft after the deadly crash in Louisville, and is currently reviewing whether the planes will be allowed to fly again.

FedEx

Another cargo company that had its fleet of MD-11 planes grounded by the FAA following the UPS crash, and expects to return the aircraft to service by the end of May 2026.

Western Global Airlines

A Florida-based cargo airline that also had its MD-11 fleet grounded by the FAA after the incident.

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What they’re saying

“I am incredibly proud of our team at Worldport and how they responded to this accident. And I would like to thank the Louisville community as well as our business and industry partners for their outpouring of support.”

— Carol Tome, CEO, UPS (newser.com)

What’s next

The Federal Aviation Administration continues to review "all the facts and circumstances" in deciding whether MD-11 aircraft will be allowed to fly again.

The takeaway

UPS' decision to retire its entire fleet of MD-11 cargo planes underscores the company's commitment to safety and rebuilding public trust following the deadly crash in Louisville. This move signals a shift towards newer, more reliable aircraft models as UPS looks to the future and prioritizes the wellbeing of its employees and the communities it serves.