On November 4, 2025, a 34-year-old MD-11 cargo plane, operated by United Parcel Service (UPS), crashed just moments after taking off from Louisville International Airport in Kentucky. This tragic incident resulted in the loss of at least 14 lives. A preliminary investigation into the crash indicated that during takeoff, the left engine, along with its pylon, detached from the aircraft's fuselage.

On November 8, in response to this alarming event, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) promptly issued an emergency airworthiness directive. This directive mandated the grounding of all MD-11 and MD-11F aircraft until comprehensive safety inspections could be carried out. Acting on Boeing's advice, both UPS and FedEx have taken decisive action, grounding a combined total of 55 MD-11 cargo planes. Specifically, UPS has grounded 27 of these aircraft, while FedEx has grounded 28. It is anticipated that this grounding will expedite the retirement process of the MD-11 aircraft model.