Update: Major Cargo Operators Ground MD-11 Fleets

‍DALLAS — The global air cargo industry has seen rapid developments this week as UPS (5X) and FedEx (FX)  grounded their entire fleets of MD-11 freighters following a deadly crash at Louisville, Kentucky. 

The tragic accident on November 4, 2025, involved a UPS MD-11, resulting in at least 14 fatalities, including three crew members, and additional people unaccounted for, marking the most catastrophic event in UPS Airlines’ history.​

Boeing, which inherited the MD-11 program from McDonnell Douglas, formally recommended that all operators suspend MD-11 flights while engineering analysis continues. 5X (with roughly 9% of its fleet as MD-11s) and FX (operating about 28 MD-11s, 4% of their fleet) both responded immediately, confirming their commitment to safety and regulatory coordination. 

“Out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of safety, we have proactively grounded our MD-11 fleet,” UPS stated. FedEx echoed similar sentiments in its industry-wide notification.​

Western Global Airlines (KD), the only other U.S. operator of active MD-11 freighters, continues limited operations. As of this morning, Flight KD618 (MD-11F) departed Anchorage for Miami, indicating some MD-11s remain in service.​

The grounded aircraft are aging freighters, many over 30 years old, highlighting ongoing industry-wide fleet renewal needs. For context, Lufthansa (LH) retired its entire MD-11 fleet in late 2021, replacing them with Boeing 777 freighters. After November 4, the MD-11, once a backbone of the cargo sector, is facing an accelerated safety review and possible retirement from the two largest carriers in the world by revenue for general freight.

November 8 Update

• No UPS or FedEx MD-11s are operating, as confirmed by airlines and regulatory orders.
• Western Global MD-11 flight operations are being closely watched, with KD618 (Anchorage-Miami) airborne this morning.
• Boeing and authorities have not announced a release date for their safety review or for MD-11s’ return to service.
• Investigation into the Louisville crash is ongoing, with U.S. authorities analyzing recovered flight recorders and maintenance logs.

• UPS
  
  • MD-11s in Fleet: Approximately 9% of fleet
  • Current Status: Grounded per Boeing advice
• FedEx
  
  • MD-11s in Fleet: Approximately 4% of fleet
  • Current Status: Grounded per Boeing advice
• Western Global
  
  • MD-11s in Fleet: 16 total (4 active)
  • Current Status: No public grounding; 12 aircraft are stored

MD-11 Cargo Aircraft Safety History

The MD-11 cargo aircraft has a challenging historical safety record compared to other wide-body freighters. The following factsheet contains statistics and notable incidents:

General Safety Data:

• As of 2025, the MD-11 has suffered ten hull-loss accidents in global commercial service, with at least seven involving fatalities and over 244 total deaths.​
• The hull-loss rate (total write-offs per operational aircraft per flight hour) for the MD-11 is notably higher than that of other jet freighters, and several aviation safety reviews cite it as having among the highest accident rates of any wide-body jet airliner, even higher than older aircraft like the Boeing 727 and DC-9.​
• The MD-11 is especially problematic in hard landings and gusty wind conditions, owing to design changes from its predecessor, the DC-10. Its shortened horizontal stabilizer reduces longitudinal stability, and incidents of “flip-over” landings have occurred more frequently than on other types.​

Major Hull-Loss & Fatal Accidents (Cargo):

• FedEx Express Flight 80 (March 23, 2009): Crashed and burned on landing at Tokyo Narita. Both pilots were killed.​
• FedEx Express Flight 087 (October 17, 1999): Crashed on landing at Subic Bay; the pilots survived, and the aircraft was destroyed.​
• UPS Airlines Flight 61 (June 6, 2016): Runway excursion at Seoul. No fatalities, aircraft written off.​
• UPS Airlines Flight 2976 (November 4, 2025): Catastrophic crash after takeoff at Louisville with at least 13-14 fatalities, including crew and ground personnel. Left engine detached, wing burned before impact, prompting immediate fleet-wide groundings by UPS and FedEx.​
• Lufthansa Cargo Flight 8460 (July 27, 2010): Crash-landing in Riyadh, both pilots survived, aircraft destroyed.​

Comparison with Other Freighters:

• The MD-11’s hull loss rate is about 3x higher than the Boeing 727, nearly double that of legacy 747s, and significantly above later and more modern widebodies like the Boeing 747-400.​
• Most current MD-11s are aged (30+ years), and they are being phased out in favor of newer, more reliable, and cost-efficient aircraft.​
• The design quirks—especially in landing stability—have made the MD-11 less popular and more accident-prone than aircraft like the Boeing 767, 777F, and 747-8F.
• Metric: Typical Age (2025)
  
  • MD-11: 30+ years
  • Boeing 747-400F: 15-30 years
  • Boeing 767/777F: Less than 20 years
• Metric: Hull Loss Rate
  
  • MD-11: High
  • Boeing 747-400F: Moderate-Low
  • Boeing 767/777F: Low
• Metric: Major Fatal Accidents
  
  • MD-11: 7 or more
  • Boeing 747-400F: Fewer than 7
  • Boeing 767/777F: Fewer than 7
• Metric: Retirement Phase
  
  • MD-11: Advanced
  • Boeing 747-400F: Gradual
  • Boeing 767/777F: Limited

The MD-11’s overall safety record, especially in cargo airline service, is significantly less favorable than that of comparable aircraft. Persistent landing difficulties, aging fleet status, and a history of high-profile accidents have driven accelerated retirement and heightened safety scrutiny, culminating in the recent fatal crash in Louisville and grounding recommendations for all MD-11 Freighters from Boeing.