Horrible crash of a UPS plane

It really depends on what they find. My guess is it won't be, because UPS and FedEx can't replace that amount of lift easily and quickly, but it could be.

If they find it was poor maintenance practices (which seems likely), then I think they will do an inspection and be back at it in a week or so. If it's something wrong with the design (which seems unlikely after 30 years of operation), then yes, it will be the end of the MD-11 era.

 

It also depends on the cost and timing of fixing it. I'm guessing they can find 777's in mouthballs and convert them to freighters quicker than trying figure out the problem, do the retrofit, and then re-certify every MD11. For sure it will have an impact on freight shipping for some time.

 

Interesting video made at the end of 2024 about the size and use of the MD 11 fleet. Not really that many more still flying.

 

Out of curiosity are those airplanes generally leased or owned?

In the current environment are there many parked, stored and unused 767 or 777s?

 

No chance on the 777 conversion timeline... that will take years, and those airplanes are already scheduled. Those are the MD11 replacements, yes, but they have been working on that for a long time and will continue for a long time. There isn't the shop capacity to just add a whole bunch of conversions in a short timeframe-- those slots are all booked out for years.

Now if you have a freighter which is already converted you can pull out of storage, then maybe. But I don't know that there are a lot of those. Maybe some 747s? Even then, the crew training pipeline and ops spinup would take months... and UPS at least still has 747s in service! FedEx doesn't have any.

 

Very interesting video from Capt. Steeeve. Not too complimentary about the MD11

 

I was following the Reddit megathread in r/aviation on this topic. Seems like a place ST Engineering in San Antonio took care of that plane with a recent service on that #1 engine and pylon. Supposedly there was a delay in getting the plane ready...not sure if waiting for parts or whatnot. I just hope these small organizations don't cut corners like AA191 had happen and use a forklift to remove an engine rather than overhead cranes or other approved methods. Over time accidents are forgotten and same shortcuts get taken as the new mechanics are too young to remember. Of course we don't know yet, but with the pylon gone it's hard to forget that equally horrible accident. Similar horrible photo of left engine gone and banked hard left into the ground.

 

Supposedly that outfit in San Antonio does a lot of UPSs MD-11 work.

 

Hopefully they are clear of any issues with service. I just read on Reddit about the CF6 engine that it has a history of crazy failures. I wonder if a blade coming off could hit the pylon at the wrong spot and break it off. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Electric_CF6#Accidents_and_incidents

A piece of a blade went 3,000 ft in this CF6 accident. Was found in a UPS warehouse. https://flightsafety.org/pieces-failed-turbine-disk-traveled-hundreds-feet/