UPS retiring aircraft involved in deadly Louisville crash, company cites long-planned fleet transition

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – UPS is retiring the type of aircraft involved in a deadly cargo plane crash in Louisville last November that killed 15 people, according to ABC affiliate WHAS 11.

UPS Flight 2976 crashed shortly after takeoff on Nov. 4, killing 15 people, including the three-person flight crew.

At the time of the crash, UPS still operated about 25 MD-11 aircraft.

In a statement shared with WHAS 11, UPS spokesperson Michelle Polk said the company had already been planning to phase out the MD-11 fleet.

“UPS has been planning to gradually retire its MD-11 fleet for several years, beginning with the first six aircraft in 2023,” Polk said.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg addressed the announcement during a winter weather news conference Tuesday morning, saying safety played a key role in the company’s decision.

“Clearly UPS made this decision with safety in mind, and I applaud them for putting safety first,” Greenberg said.

UPS also confirmed it is modernizing its fleet, with 18 Boeing 767 aircraft scheduled for delivery between now and 2027.