Why UPS Was Still Using a 34-Year-Old MD-11 Freighter Before the Deadly Crash

The UPS freighter that crashed in Louisville, Kentucky, was a 34-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD-11 — old by passenger jet standards but typical for the cargo industry, where planes often remain in service for decades.

Investigators say there are no early signs that the aircraft’s age played a role in the crash, which killed at least 12 people shortly after takeoff Tuesday evening. The cause remains under investigation.

Aviation experts note that older planes often continue flying safely long after passenger versions are retired. That’s because freight carriers face fewer fuel economy constraints and operate their fleets less frequently — about 30% less than passenger airlines. The MD-11, with its three engines, was once valued for its range and reliability. But as twin-engine technology advanced, its fuel inefficiency became costly, leading most airlines to retire it from passenger use.

UPS, which has been phasing out the MD-11 in favor of newer, more efficient aircraft, still has 25 in active service and six in storage, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. FedEx operates 38 of the planes, with 34 more stored, while Western Global Airlines keeps four active and 12 in reserve.

The jet involved in Tuesday’s crash was originally delivered to Thai Airlines in 1991, converted to a freighter for UPS in 2006, and underwent a full overhaul during the conversion. Aviation consultant Mike Boyd said a plane’s age is determined more by maintenance than manufacture date. “An airliner is only as old, basically, as its last D-check,” Boyd said, referring to the industry’s deep inspection and maintenance process.

Major U.S. airlines still operate fleets with average ages of 20 to 30 years, including older 737 and 757 models. Boyd said UPS maintains rigorous standards, emphasizing that maintenance and fuel costs — not age — are the key concerns for operators.

While the MD-11 is no longer used for passenger flights — the last was a 2014 KLM route from Montreal to Amsterdam — it remains a cargo workhorse. Despite its inefficiencies, the aircraft has provided freight carriers like UPS with decades of reliable service, underscoring the long lifespan of properly maintained aircraft.

Credit: CNN Newsource

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