Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋Nov 5, 2025
"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
Show threadIan 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

Show threadIan 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
Show threadIan 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
Show threadIan 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
Show threadIan 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
Show threadIan 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
Show threadIan 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
Show threadIan 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
Show threadIan 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
Show threadIan 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
Show threadIan 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
Show threadIan 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
Show threadIan Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋
"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
Jun 24 at 10:43pmWeb