FAA, UPS, FedEx Ground MD-11 fleet post fatal crash; Louisville operations unaffected.

The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the cause of the recent tragic crash that occurred earlier this week. In response to the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration, UPS, and FedEx decided to temporarily ground all MD-11 aircraft on Saturday. UPS made the decision to immediately halt the operations of all MD-11 aircraft, following the manufacturer's recommendation. Boeing emphasized the importance of safety and advised the three operators of the MD-11 freighter to suspend flight operations as further engineering analysis is carried out. This cautious approach involved close coordination with the FAA. FedEx also announced it would ground its MD-11 planes. Subsequently, the FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) calling for the grounding of all MD-11 and MD-11 F airplanes. This directive was influenced by the recent crash and mandates thorough inspections and necessary corrective actions before the planes can resume flying. Operations at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport have started to stabilize, with a small percentage of flights being canceled on Friday and Saturday. While some passengers expressed concerns and sympathies for those affected by the crash, others tried to remain hopeful and positive. Grade Lane continues to be closed to the public for safety reasons, with essential workers busy with debris clearance and power line repairs. The Okolona Fire Department is collaborating with law enforcement to keep nearby businesses informed about re-entry timelines. For any inquiries or information regarding the incident, including details about injured individuals, UPS has set up a hotline at 800-631-0604 for families and friends to contact.