Mastodawn

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋

"At least 3 dead, 11 injured in UPS plane crash in Kentucky and governor says numbers likely to grow" by @AssociatedPress - UPS Flight 2976 (MD-11 reg N259UP) crashed on takeoff from Louisville #KSDF. Crew killed. Injuries among people on ground. Counts expected to increase. Accident under investigation by NTSB. https://apnews.com/article/kentucky-louisville-plane-crash-report-71dd124d1971a22f122590e72cc2c73a #UPS2976 #aviation #cargo #avgeek

At least 7 dead, 11 injured in UPS plane crash in Kentucky

At least seven people are dead and 11 injured after UPS plane crashed in Kentucky. The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane crashed about 5:15 p.m. as it was departing for Honolulu from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport. Video showed flames on the plane’s left wing and a trail of smoke. The plane then lifted slightly off the ground before crashing and exploding in a huge fireball. Video also revealed portions of a building’s shredded roof next to the end of the runway.

AP News

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 5, 2025

A new Wikipedia page on the UPS Airlines Flight 2976 crash is getting updates. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UPS_Airlines_Flight_2976 #KSDF #UPS2976 #aviation #cargo #avgeek

UPS Airlines Flight 2976 - Wikipedia

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 5, 2025

"Video shows moment UPS plane catches fire, crashes at Louisville Airport" by WLWT News (NBC Cincinnati) - Video from another aircraft taxiing at Louisville Airport shows a fire on the left wing and/or engine during takeoff, and the MD-11 failing to gain altitude before the impact and fireball. The plane was fully fueled for a flight to Honolulu. Updated counts of 7 dead, 11 injured. https://www.wlwt.com/article/video-ups-plane-crash-explosion-louisville-airport/69255579 #KSDF #UPS2976 #aviation #cargo #avgeek

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 5, 2025

"Engine fell off UPS plane before deadly crash and explosion in Kentucky, the NTSB says" by @AssociatedPress - NTSB briefing on UPS 2976 crash says the left engine detached from the aircraft on takeoff and came to stop on the airfield. There is a 1/2 mile (0.8km) debris field outside the airport. The flight data recorder & cockpit voice recorder were recovered. Current total 9 dead, 11 injured - unclear if the 3 crew are included. https://apnews.com/article/ups-cargo-plane-explosion-louisville-deaths-af12da7f8611bad0bf0cb664de189250 #KSDF #UPS2976 #aviation #cargo #avgeek

Kentucky city rocked by UPS plane crash and explosion that left 7 dead

At least seven people are dead and 11 injured after UPS plane crashed in Kentucky. The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane crashed about 5:15 p.m. as it was departing for Honolulu from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport. Video showed flames on the plane’s left wing and a trail of smoke. The plane then lifted slightly off the ground before crashing and exploding in a huge fireball. Video also revealed portions of a building’s shredded roof next to the end of the runway. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear says he expects the death toll to increase.

AP News

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 5, 2025

It has occurred to many that what we know so far of the UPS 2976 crash has similarities to the 1979 American 191 crash where the left engine departed a DC-10 on takeoff, damaging the remainder of the plane into uncontrollable condition and a crash off the end of the runway. However, we still don't have info to know UPS's cause. The plane got out of minor maintenance and flew 2 flights successfully. NTSB is undoubtedly reviewing that work. #KSDF #UPS2976 #aviation #cargo #avgeek

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 10, 2025

"UPS & FedEx ground MD-11 cargo fleets as investigation continues into deadly Kentucky crash" by @USAToday - Boeing recommended and then FAA ordered grounding of MD-11 cargo planes. (Passenger models were already retired or converted to freighters.) Inspection of engine pylons are required but will not yet clear the planes back to flight, pending further investigation. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/11/08/ups-md-11-cargo-louisville-boeing/87166881007/ #UPS2976 #aviation #business #cargo #avgeek

UPS, FedEx ground MD-11 cargo fleets as investigation continues into deadly Kentucky crash

UPS and FedEx both said Boeing, the airline manufacturer, recommended grounding all MD-11s.

USA TODAY

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 15, 2025

"US FAA broadens MD-11 grounding order to remaining DC-10 fleets" by Flight Global - Due to similar engine pylon structure, the MD-11 grounding was broadened to now include DC-10/MD-10 variants including the Ten Tanker firefighting fleet and Orbis flying hospital. KC-10 military refueling tankers were also grounded by the US Air Force in a separate order. https://www.flightglobal.com/safety/us-faa-broadens-md-11-grounding-order-to-remaining-dc-10-fleets/165313.article #UPS2976 #aviation #business #cargo #avgeek

US FAA broadens MD-11 grounding order to remaining DC-10 fleets

US regulators have extended the grounding order imposed on the Boeing MD-11 to include variants of the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, owing to their similar engine pylon structure. The grounding was ordered in the aftermath of a UPS MD-11F crash in Louisville on 4 November, after the aircraft's left engine separated ...

Flight Global

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 20, 2025

NTSB released preliminary report "UPS Flight 2976 Crash During Takeoff" only 2 weeks after the accident. (Requirement is 30 days.) Preliminary report is just a status of what is known so far, no conclusions or recommendations. The left engine pylon broke when the engine departed. Fatigue cracks were found in addition to the overstress failure. The pylon mount was last inspected in 2021 and was not due for another yet. https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/DCA26MA024.aspx #UPS2976 #aviation #business #cargo #avgeek

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 20, 2025

While leaving conclusions to NTSB, the UPS 2976 preliminary report gives us an idea what comes next. NTSB will continue to look for the cause of the fatigue cracks in the pylon. Now MD-11 & DC-10 operators UPS, FedEx, Western Global, USAF, Ten Tanker, Omega and Orbis have better info what needs inspection. The economics of pulling 2 engines off each aircraft for pylon inspection may mean not all operators will return their planes to service. #UPS2976 #aviation #business #cargo #avgeek

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 28, 2025

"Fleet of UPS planes grounded after deadly crash expected to miss peak delivery season" by @AssociatedPress - MD-11s are no longer expected to return to service during the holiday cargo rush. FAA & Boeing have yet to issue findings or required inspections. So UPS is indefinitely grounding its MD-11s, 9% of its fleet. UPS contingency plans for the holidays have included hiring other cargo airlines for some loads. https://apnews.com/article/ups-md11-planes-crash-louisville-13dbb6ec286ddc966c6bd1c9f3b3627c #UPS2976 #MD11grounding #aviation #business #cargo #avgeek

UPS grounds fleet of MD-11 planes indefinitely after deadly crash

UPS Airlines has grounded its MD-11 planes indefinitely for inspections and possible repairs after a deadly crash earlier this month. An internal memo from UPS Airlines president Bill Moore on Wednesday stated that the fleet will be grounded as they work to meet Federal Aviation Administration guidelines. The process was expected to take weeks but may now take several months. An MD-11 plane crashed Nov. 4 in Louisville, Kentucky, killing 14 people. UPS intends to rely on contingency plans to deliver for customers throughout the peak season. Boeing took over as the manufacturer of MD-11s in 1997 and is working to help operators meet FAA requirements.

AP News

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Jan 27

"UPS retires fleet of MD-11 aircraft involved in deadly Kentucky crash" by @AssociatedPress - Already planned to be phased out, UPS announced its 26 MD-11 planes will not return to service following an extended FAA-ordered grounding after the UPS 2976 crash of Nov 4. UPS has orders for 18 new 767Fs to replace them. The two cargo airlines with grounded MD-11s remaining are FedEx (28) and Western Global (15). https://apnews.com/article/ups-kentucky-louisville-crash-md11-boeing-9832be76e1a025ba2b89582778ee45db #UPS2976 #MD11grounding #aviation #business #cargo #avgeek

UPS retires its McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo planes after Louisville crash

UPS says it has retired its fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo planes just months after one crashed in Louisville, killing 15 people. CEO Carol Tome said during a fourth-quarter earnings call Tuesday that the company decided to accelerate its plans while all MD-11s remain grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration. The plane’s three-person crew and 12 others on the ground were killed after the plane's left engine fell off. The company is rebuilding its fleet with 18 new Boeing 767s in the next 15 months. The company also announced plans to cut up to 30,000 jobs this year as it reduces its shipments for Amazon.

AP News

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋May 9

"Boeing has a fix for the grounded MD-11, according to FedEx" by @TheSeattleTimes / Lauren Rosenblatt - FedEx says it expects to get its 28 MD-11 widebody cargo planes un-grounded soon with Boeing-approved fix, once FAA also approves. The fix is replacement of parts in engine pylon mounting points and then increased rate of inspection for wear and fatigue. The fix comes after UPS abandoned the MD-11. https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-has-a-fix-for-the-grounded-md-11-according-to-fedex/ #UPS2976 #MD11grounding #aviation #business #cargo #avgeek

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋May 12

"FedEx resumes MD-11 cargo flights after FAA lifts grounding order" by @Reuters - With FAA approval of Boeing's fix for the MD-11 engine pylons, FedEx has returned 2 of its 28 planes to service and is working on the rest. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/faa-approves-boeing-protocol-returning-md-11-planes-service-us-after-fatal-crash-2026-05-11/ #UPS2976 #MD11grounding #aviation #business #cargo #avgeek

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋6d ago

"More FedEx MD-11 cargo jets return to service, others are retired" by FreightWaves - After UPS retired its #MD11 fleet, FedEx is returning most to service to maintain widebody capacity. 5 were retired (replaced by new 767s), 4 have returned to service with the others in process. https://www.freightwaves.com/news/more-fedex-md-11-cargo-jets-return-to-service-others-are-retired #MD11grounding #aviation #business #cargo #avgeek

More FedEx MD-11 cargo jets return to service, others are retired

FedEx is slowly redeploying its fleet of MD-11 aircraft that were grounded for seven months following the fiery crash of a UPS freighter, but has also decided to retire 10 aging aircraft.

FreightWaves

@[email protected] @[email protected] what have the MD-11 pilots been up to in the meantime? Furlough? Getting 757/767 type ratings?

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋May 9

@ben Initial guess is they transferred to other aircraft as if MD-11 might never come back. None of them are current on the MD-11 right now. But I don't know. I have friends there but for work-related questions they'd probably follow advice to refer me to spokescritters.

WiredForFlight May 10

@ikluft @TheSeattleTimes really good to see forward progress and seeing they back flying soon.

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋May 10

@WiredForFlight I don't think it was a sure thing that Boeing would get a fix for the MD-11 before the two remaining operators would abandon it. The UPS crash happened after all three operators at the time had scheduled to phase it out. So avgeeks who like 3-engine planes will get a little more time to see them fly. Once the MD-11s are retired from cargo service, probably only Northrop Grumman's Stargazer (last airworthy L-1011) will remain.

WiredForFlight May 10

@ikluft I heard a rumor that FedEx is looking into the UPS planes at least for parts. Happy they have flown today and have this fix out there now. Bit by bit to get them back in the air. Want the 3 holers around for longer :)

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋May 10

@WiredForFlight Oh. Now that you mention it, I see one of them did fly today. That hasn't happened in months. https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/FDX9045/history/20260509/2100Z/KMEM/KMEM

But I can't imagine them using the UPS planes for anything other than parts. They already had a schedule to retire MD-11s as 767s & 777s come off the Everett factory line.

FX9045 (FDX9045) FedEx Flight Tracking and History 09-May-2026 (KMEM-KMEM) - FlightAware

Flight status, tracking, and historical data for FedEx 9045 (FX9045/FDX9045) 09-May-2026 (KMEM-KMEM) including scheduled, estimated, and actual departure and arrival times.

FlightAware

AI6YR Ben Nov 28, 2025

@ikluft Safety is better than on time delivery!

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 28, 2025

@ai6yr Yes, safety first. Now that this problem made itself known, it's the appropriate reaction. But it isn't as if they had a reputation for on-time delivery. It's just delivery.

Thomas Sturm Nov 28, 2025

@ikluft @AssociatedPress That second photo in the sequence where the engine essentially takes off all by itself is crazy.

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 28, 2025

@tsturm @AssociatedPress Yeah. The security camera made a phenomenal catch there. For NTSB's investigation, it's valuable info. But the engine rotation and departure over the top of the wing is eerily like what eyewitnesses described from the AA191 crash at ORD in 1979. Something apparently broke at the rear attachment point of the engine pylon, allowing it to rotate upward before breaking away.

Thomas Sturm Nov 28, 2025

@ikluft @AssociatedPress Those bold holding the engine in place are massive. It's stunning that something like that can break, no matter how much metal fatigue is in play.

Errol Cavit Nov 28, 2025

@tsturm @ikluft @AssociatedPress If the engine gets seriously unbalanced the pylon is designed to break off (rather than have the plane shake itself apart). This proves that there is a good chance that the upper engine will lose power as well when this happens, which destroys the the ability to handle this failure at takeoff.

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 28, 2025

@ErrolNZ @tsturm @AssociatedPress It remains to be seen if the departing engine took out any hydraulic lines with it. In the 1979 AA191 crash, the loss of hydraulic lines retracted the slats on the left side, causing that wing to stall and loss of control. Though we don't have details for UPS2976 yet, the roll left-side-down is similar to that scenario.

Errol Cavit Nov 28, 2025

@ikluft @tsturm @AssociatedPress That particular failure was supposedly designed out on the MD-11. Some other failure or effect (engine not pushing up?) may have caused the roll of course. Thrust from no.2 engine not covered in initial report.

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 28, 2025

@ErrolNZ @tsturm @AssociatedPress That fire on the wing shows the engine's departure caused some kind of significant damage. We'll have to watch for what details NTSB reports.

BakersRelay Nov 16, 2025

@ikluft Oofta. FYI @ai6yr

AI6YR Ben Nov 16, 2025

@BakerRL75 @ikluft Oh crap, the air tankers. Good thing we have rain now.

BakersRelay Nov 16, 2025

@ai6yr @ikluft The original pylon issue was faulty maintenance due to re-hanging an engine after inspection incorrectly (I believe they were using a forklift). Be interesting to see what they find this time.

AI6YR Ben Nov 16, 2025

@BakerRL75 @ikluft Yeah, saw that. I wonder if someone forgot those lessons and this is a repeat somehow.

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 16, 2025

@ai6yr @BakerRL75 There are many routine checklists and inspections for DC-10 pylons now. I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out to be something along the lines of a vehicle running into the engine an hour before the flight, enough to tweak the pylon but not enough to be visible in a walk-around. Whatever it is, we'll see what NTSB says.

AI6YR Ben Nov 16, 2025

@ikluft @BakerRL75 🙏

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 16, 2025

@BakerRL75 @ai6yr The DC-10/MD-11 fleet flew for 46 years without apparent repetition of the American 191 crash. If there was some cause of damage to the pylon, it seems likely they can make corrective action before fire season.

BakersRelay Nov 16, 2025

@ikluft @ai6yr Agreed. Up until this point they’ve been a work horse in the air freight and tanker fleets.

AI6YR Ben Nov 16, 2025

@BakerRL75 @ikluft Hope this wasn't a "oops, maybe I won't mention that happened". I know there's a strong safety culture in aviation, but there's always that risk of someone being afraid of getting in trouble for running something into something else.

AI6YR Ben Nov 16, 2025

@ikluft @BakerRL75 🙏 Very good point. Clearly, 46 years until a repeat (if the same problem) means either something new, or someone didn't follow procedures, or as you say someone ran into it and didn't realize what that would do.

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 16, 2025

@ai6yr @BakerRL75 But now that the DC-10 is almost gone from service and MD-11s already announced phase-out by both FedEx and UPS, any doubt about the aircraft could cause it to be swiftly withdrawn from everyone's fleets. So NTSB's findings matter, whatever they will be. The AA191 crash was the beginning of the end of DC-10 passenger service.

Aviation Librarian Nov 16, 2025

@ikluft It's amazing to think there is only one 3 hole widebody still flying right now, and that is the sole L-1011.

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 16, 2025

@Aviation_Librarian I think we all expect the DC-10/MD-11 grounding is temporary. But while you mentioned the last airworthy L-1011, that one doesn't fly very often while the launch rate for Pegasus rockets is in a lull. But that makes it easy for avgeeks to find it parked next to the control tower in Mojave. Here's a picture I took in late June when I showed @Leighton around Mojave.

bill Nov 10, 2025

@ikluft @USAToday Wasn't Allegiant flying these commercial within the last 10 years?

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 10, 2025

@bill @USAToday No. They had different McDonnell Douglas planes, the narrowbody twin-engine DC-9 & MD-80 series. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegiant_Air#Fleet

The MD-11 is a DC-10 follow-on. They're much larger 3-engine widebody planes, which is what FedEx & UPS like about them for cargo capacity.

Allegiant Air - Wikipedia

Aut Nov 5, 2025

@ikluft a tragic reminder that sometimes there is no winning. What a brutal situation

BakersRelay Nov 5, 2025

@ikluft Old DC-10 modeling?

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 5, 2025

@BakerRL75 The MD-11 was built as a follow-on to the DC-10 with very similar external appearance except stretched fuselage and added winglets. It has longer range and updated engines. UPS & FedEx later got upgrades for their DC-10s into MD-10s with many of the same enhancements like glass cockpit and elimination of the flight engineer.

BakersRelay Nov 5, 2025

@ikluft It was eerie seeing that fuselage type associated with an engine part on the ground…

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 5, 2025

@BakerRL75 Are you talking about the Concorde crash there? (Continental DC-10 lost a part that blew out Concorde's tires, which breached the fuel tank.) Or was it something about this crash?

BakersRelay Nov 5, 2025

@ikluft the AA FLT 191. You had it pegged

Cy Nov 16, 2025

oops!

Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 16, 2025

@cy That wasn't an oops, at least not on the part of the crew. The left engine was found on the ground of the airfield where it tore off during takeoff. NTSB is investigating. But there appear to be parallels to the 1979 crash of American 191 in Chicago, where an engine broke away from a DC-10 due to a missing bolt on the pylon. Checklists and inspections seemed to prevent that from happening again, unless it happened again with this one.

Cy Nov 16, 2025

But I thought it was an oops plane!