UPS Plane Crash Halts Ford Louisville Assembly Plant Operations: Key Details
A recent UPS plane crash has significantly impacted operations at the Ford Louisville Assembly Plant. The crash occurred on November 4, 2023, at approximately 5:20 p.m. An outbound UPS MD-11, destined for Hawaii, went down shortly after taking off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Tragically, this incident resulted in the deaths of at least nine individuals, marking it as UPS Airlines’ deadliest plane crash.
Impact on Ford Louisville Assembly Plant Operations
The Ford Louisville Assembly Plant, located at 2000 Fern Valley Road, is adjacent to the UPS Worldport facility. Following the crash, operations at the assembly plant were immediately halted on November 5. Workers initially sheltered in place and were later evacuated as a precautionary measure. A controlled power outage was implemented across the local area.
Employee Safety and Production Status
According to Ford spokesperson Jessica Enoch, employees were sent home after the power outage began, and no injuries have been reported in the aftermath of the crash. Production at the plant, which manufactures the Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair, has been paused for at least the first shift on November 5. Enoch did not provide immediate information on how this temporary closure may affect overall production levels.
- Location: 2000 Fern Valley Road, Louisville
- Vehicle Production: Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair
- Projected Inventory: Sufficient stock to continue sales through 2026
Future Plans for the Plant
Ford has announced a $2 billion investment for the Louisville Assembly Plant aimed at expanding its production capabilities. This investment will support the development of a new midsize electric pickup truck as part of a universal EV platform, expected to launch in 2027.
Ongoing Production Challenges
The disruptions at the Louisville assembly facility come at a time when Ford is already facing production challenges due to an aluminum shortage caused by a fire at the Novelis plant in New York. This incident is expected to cost the company between $1.5 billion and $2 billion over the coming months.
As Ford navigates these immediate challenges, the company has initiated several measures to mitigate losses, including halting production of certain models like the F-150 pickup and all-electric F-150 Lightning. Additionally, a $60 million investment has been earmarked for the Kentucky Truck Plant to help recover from recent production setbacks.
