Kentucky Lawmaker Pushes FAA to Permanently Ground MD-11 Fleet After UPS Crash

Key Details Rep. Morgan McGarvey, whose district includes UPS's Louisville Worldport hub, has formally requested that the Federal Aviation Administration permanently retire the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft. The demand follows the November crash of UPS Flight 2976, which killed 14 people including three pilots when the cargo jet lost its left engine and structural pylon during takeoff. Why It Matters The NTSB investigation identified fatigue cracks in the structural section connecting the engine to the left wing - a recurring problem for this aircraft model. McGarvey cited a documented pattern of mechanical failures, noting the MD-11 has the highest hull loss rate per million departures of any widebody commercial jet still operating in the U.S. The Safety Record Since entering service in 1990, the MD-11 has experienced at least 10 hull loss accidents. Industry investigators have consistently documented the aircraft's instability issues during landing, center-of-gravity sensitivity, and structural stress around engine pylons. Multiple cargo carriers have already voluntarily retired their MD-11 fleets due to safety concerns. Next Steps The FAA temporarily banned MD-11 operations pending fleet-wide inspections and repairs. With major operators phasing out the aircraft and mounting pressure from lawmakers, permanent grounding appears increasingly likely.