There are about 70 MD-11s in service operated by FedEx, UPS and Western Global, according to Boeing. UPS said it is temporarily grounding part of its fleet after the crash. FedEx confirmed it is immediately grounding its 28 MD-11 planes as it conducts a safety review.

UPS and FedEx's fleets of MD-11 planes are grounded, which can each carry thousands of packages. Logistics experts say some cargo could shift to passenger planes, trains and trucks.

The halt to MD-11 flight operations comes after the deadly crash of a UPS aircraft of that type in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft grounded pending further inspection, following UPS and FedEx each deciding to ground the planes that make up part of their cargo fleet.

Fire and smoke mark where a UPS cargo plane crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on November 04, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. The fully fueled plane crashed shortly after takeoff with a shelter-in-place order issued for within 5 miles of the airport. Photo: Getty Images