Fleet of UPS planes grounded after deadly crash expected to miss peak delivery season

By SARAH RAZA A fleet of planes that UPS grounded after a deadly crash isn t expected to be back in system during the peak holiday season due to inspections and manageable repairs the company stated Wednesday in an internal memo Related Articles Skoolie fabricator split by owner s theft charges against other owner Historic La Vista Motel reopens on East Colfax with on-site coffee shop and bar Outdoor Voices founder says ability drink investor cost her Target deal Northeast Aurora a top destination for relocations in U S Ballpark architecture firm decamping to Santa Fe Drive The airline expects it will be several months before its McDonnell Douglas MD- fleet returns to system as it works to meet Federal Aviation Administration guidelines revealed the memo from UPS Airlines president Bill Moore to employees The process was originally estimated to take weeks but is now expected to take several months A fiery MD- plane crash on Nov in Louisville Kentucky killed people and injured at least when the left engine detached during takeoff Cargo carriers grounded their McDonnell Douglas MD- fleets shortly after ahead of a directive from the FAA Regarding the MD- fleet Boeing s ongoing evaluation shows that inspections and prospective repairs will be more extensive than initially expected Moore wrote in the memo A UPS spokesperson revealed in a report that the company will rely on contingency plans to deliver for customers throughout the peak season and it will take the time needed to ensure that every aircraft is safe The remaining MD- airliners averaging more than years old are exclusively used to haul cargo for package delivery companies MD- s make up about of the UPS airline fleet and of the FedEx fleet Boeing which took over as the manufacturer of MD- s since merging with McDonnell Douglas in commented in a announcement that it is working diligently to provide instructions and technical sponsorship to operators so that they can meet the FAA s requirements The FAA announced Boeing will develop the procedures for inspections and any corrective actions pending approval from the FAA