NTSB Reviews Cracks in UPS MD-11 Crash Investigation
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 3 days ago
0mins
Source: Newsfilter
- Crash Investigation: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is reviewing reports of cracks in key components related to the fatal crash of a UPS MD-11 cargo plane in Kentucky last November, which resulted in 15 fatalities, including three crew members and 12 on the ground.
- Structural Fatigue Issues: The NTSB investigation revealed fatigue cracks in the support structure known as the bearing race, which connects the wing to the engine, a problem flagged in a 2011 Boeing report, with multiple crack reports on MD-11 parts over the past decade.
- Design Requirements Review: The hearing is examining not only the design requirements for these components but also the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) oversight of the issue over the last two decades to ensure future flight safety.
- Flight Resumption and Fleet Retirement: Following the FAA's lifting of the flight ban on MD-11 aircraft, FedEx has begun to resume operations with this model, while UPS retired its remaining fleet of over two dozen MD-11 cargo jets at the end of last year, reflecting a commitment to addressing safety concerns.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy UPS?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on UPS
Wall Street analysts forecast UPS stock price to rise
19 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
9 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 98.250
Low
80.00
Averages
107.06
High
126.00
Current: 98.250
Low
80.00
Averages
107.06
High
126.00
About UPS
United Parcel Service, Inc. is a global package delivery and logistics provider. Its U.S. Domestic Package segment offers a full spectrum of air and ground package transportation services. Its air portfolio offers time-definite, same-day, next-day, two-day and three-day delivery alternatives as well as air cargo services. Its ground network enables customers to ship using its day-definite ground service. Ground Saver provides residential ground service for customers with non-urgent, lightweight residential shipments. Its International Package segment consists of small package operations in Europe, Middle East and Africa, Canada and Latin America and Asia. It offers a selection of guaranteed day and time-definite international transportation services supported by its brokerage capabilities that facilitate cross-border clearance for international shipments. Its supply chain solutions consist of customized third-party logistics and specialized cold chain transportation solutions.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Market Rally: The S&P 500 is on track for its eighth consecutive weekly gain, reflecting growing investor optimism regarding de-escalation in the Middle East and increased confidence in economic recovery.
- Dow Jones Surge: The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 276.31 points to a record close, indicating positive market sentiment towards U.S.-Iran peace negotiations, which could attract further investments.
- Oil Price Volatility: Oil prices resumed their rally after three days of declines, with Brent and U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures both advancing around 2%, highlighting market concerns over energy supply and geopolitical uncertainties.
- Quantum Computing Investment: The U.S. government announced $2 billion in grants to nine firms, with IBM receiving $1 billion, significantly boosting quantum computing stocks and showcasing the ongoing investment surge in the tech sector.
See More
- Oil Price Impact: U.S. oil prices surged above $100 a barrel, leading to a decline in stocks as investor concerns about inflation reignited, particularly after optimism faded regarding an Iran peace deal.
- Nvidia's Bullish Outlook: Jim Cramer views Nvidia's modest post-earnings pullback as a buying opportunity, suggesting investors gradually build positions despite market volatility driven by rising oil prices.
- Arm Holdings Surge: Following Nvidia's earnings call, Arm Holdings' stock jumped nearly 9%, extending its weekly rally to 35%, with projected CPU-related revenue of about $20 billion this year, solidifying its market position.
- FedEx Rating Upgrade: Citi reinstated FedEx with a buy rating and a $443 price target, highlighting its potential for market share growth and improved profitability, with Jim Cramer suggesting a 30% upside from current levels.
See More
- Strong Earnings: Nvidia's earnings report reveals nearly doubling year-over-year data center revenue, indicating relentless demand for its GPUs, although shares slipped in after-hours trading as investors scrutinized future guidance and rising competition.
- IPO Frenzy: SpaceX has filed for an IPO aiming to raise around $75 billion, surpassing Alibaba's record for the largest IPO, highlighting the intensifying competition among tech companies for public offerings, which could significantly impact market sentiment.
- Stabilizing Semiconductor Supply Chains: Samsung Electronics has reached a tentative agreement with its union to suspend a planned strike, likely providing temporary relief to global semiconductor supply chains critical for the ongoing AI boom.
- Market Rebound: Wall Street staged a strong rebound with the Dow surging over 600 points due to easing oil prices and moderating rate concerns, leading to a positive sentiment that has also lifted Asia-Pacific markets.
See More
- Crash Investigation: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is reviewing reports of cracks in key components related to the fatal crash of a UPS MD-11 cargo plane in Kentucky last November, which resulted in 15 fatalities, including three crew members and 12 on the ground.
- Structural Fatigue Issues: The NTSB investigation revealed fatigue cracks in the support structure known as the bearing race, which connects the wing to the engine, a problem flagged in a 2011 Boeing report, with multiple crack reports on MD-11 parts over the past decade.
- Design Requirements Review: The hearing is examining not only the design requirements for these components but also the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) oversight of the issue over the last two decades to ensure future flight safety.
- Flight Resumption and Fleet Retirement: Following the FAA's lifting of the flight ban on MD-11 aircraft, FedEx has begun to resume operations with this model, while UPS retired its remaining fleet of over two dozen MD-11 cargo jets at the end of last year, reflecting a commitment to addressing safety concerns.
See More
- Military Action Halted: Trump announced a pause in military action against Iran following requests from leaders in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, while still threatening a large-scale assault if necessary, which could significantly impact geopolitical stability in the Middle East.
- Oil Price Fluctuations: International benchmark Brent crude futures fell over 2% to $109.15 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate futures declined 1.27% to $107.28, reflecting market concerns over energy supply tightness that may lead to future price increases.
- Pressure on Airlines: Ryanair's CFO warned of a potential
See More
- Transition Challenges and Opportunities: UPS plans to cut Amazon delivery volume by 50% in 2024, which, despite Amazon being its largest customer at 11.8% of total sales, will help reduce low-margin delivery costs and enhance overall profitability.
- Market's Tepid Response: Although UPS faced issues like trade tensions and a weakening macro backdrop in 2025, leading to a decline in shipping demand and reduced investor confidence, the company is still pivoting towards higher-margin customers, indicating long-term potential.
- Growth in SMBs: In Q1 2026, UPS's daily volumes among small and medium-sized businesses rose by 1.6%, with overall revenue per package increasing by 6.5% and healthcare product delivery revenue hitting $3 billion, demonstrating initial success in its transition.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Management reiterated its 2026 guidance, with analysts forecasting a 12.2% increase in EPS to $8 in 2027; while the current stock trades at a 14x forward P/E, it has historically traded between 15 and 20 times, suggesting potential for future price appreciation.
See More











