(Nov 9): The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft on concerns the engines and its structural wing components could fail, as investigations continue into the deadly United Parcel Service Inc (UPS) crash this week.
Similar conditions that led to the fatal UPS crash “is likely to exist” in the same type of jets, the US aviation regulator said on Saturday in an emergency airworthiness directive. The focus is on why the freighter jet’s left engine detached during take-off. The directive prohibits any further flights until each aircraft is inspected and undergoes corrective fixes, it said.
“The agency has determined that the unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design,” it said. “This condition could result in loss of continued safe flight and landing.”
UPS Flight 2976 crashed shortly after takeoff from the Muhammad Ali airport in Louisville on Tuesday evening. The crash resulted in 14 fatalities, including crew members and individuals on the ground.
UPS and FedEx Corp grounded their McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft fleet on Boeing Co’s recommendation. The grounding affects roughly 9% of UPS’ airline fleet and about 4% of FedEx’s aircraft, along with jets operated by Western Global Airlines.
Boeing, which acquired McDonnell Douglas in 1997, said it is conducting additional engineering analysis while coordinating with the FAA.
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