Aviation News – Aviation authorities are preparing for a prolonged grounding of MD-11 cargo aircraft following a recent UPS crash, with analysts indicating the ban is unlikely to lift before 2026.
Industry officials say the grounding, imposed after the accident prompted a broad safety review, affects operators worldwide and is now shaping fleet-planning decisions across the cargo sector. The MD-11’s future has been under scrutiny for years, but the current grounding marks the most significant disruption since the aircraft entered service.
The review focuses on structural integrity, flight-control systems, and operational procedures. While investigators have not publicly disclosed final conclusions, regulators have instructed operators to complete additional inspections and potential modifications before the aircraft can return to commercial service.
