The U.S. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has lifted the grounding on both McDonnell Douglas MD-11 and MD-11F aircraft, giving the green light for the long-haul jets to return to the skies.
Tragedy Forces MD-11 Pause
The MD-11 and MD-11F jets were originally grounded after a UPS Airlines MD-11F crashed at Louisville International Airport on Nov. 4, 2025. Due to a separation of its left engine, the aircraft plummeted into an industrial area seconds after takeoff. Onboard the flight, three people died, and a further 12 were killed on the ground.
The MD-11 is a three-engine widebody, primarily used for long-distance cargo and passenger flights. Soon after the incident, the FAA expanded the grounding to include all McDonnell Douglas DC-10 aircraft.
MD-11s Cleared for Operations
In a statement to Bloomberg, FedEx commented:
“Over the past several months, our airline safety, engineering, and maintenance teams have conducted rigorous safety inspections, maintenance, and planning to prepare our MD-11 fleet to return to service.”
The company operates the world’s largest MD-11F fleet with 58 aircraft. Flights will be reinstated from May, with only two planes to start. At the same time, technicians will be working at 16 sites across the globe. Firstly, they will remove wing-mounted engine pylons from 29 grounded MD-11Fs. These parts will be sent to specialists in Indianapolis and Memphis International for rigorous maintenance. The process is designed to ensure every plane meets safety standards before returning fully to service.
However, not all carriers are bringing the MD-11 back. UPS, which previously operated 26 planes, has decided to retire the type. While Western Global Airlines, along with several smaller operators, remains affected by the earlier grounding. FAA approval lets the MD-11 and MD-11F take to the skies once more, but airlines must balance safety checks with fleet retirements.
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