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.