FedEx announces MD-11 return date after UPS retires its fleet

?(Image from FedEx)FedEx announced on Wednesday that it is planning to return the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 to service by May 31. UPS completed the retirement of its MD-11 fleet on Tuesday following a deadly crash in Louisville, Kentucky, on Nov. 4, 2025. A UPS-operated MD-11 crashed shortly after takeoff from the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), killing 15 people. Federal investigators with the NTSB focused on structural issues with a key engine mount component as part of their investigation into the crash. A preliminary report found that a bearing assembly in the left engine pylon developed fatigue cracks and ultimately failed, causing the engine to separate from the wing before the crash. The report also revealed that Boeing, which acquired McDonnell Douglas in 1997, had identified problems with the same part in a 2011 service bulletin. At the time, Boeing advised operators to inspect the component but did not classify the issue as a safety-of-flight risk. Following the crash, the FAA has grounded all MD-11s, MD-10s and DC-10s, due to the similarity between the three aircraft. The MD-11 entered service in the early 1990s and has been popular in cargo fleets, but it has faced increasing scrutiny following the crash. FedEx is one of the jet's last major U.S. operators, according to Aerotime, as more carriers have shifted toward modern freighters. RELATED STORIES: UPS retires MD-11 fleet months after Louisville crash, reports Q4 earnings NTSB states cracked part in crashed UPS Douglas MD-11 was identified in 2011 FAA issues Emergency Airworthiness Directive following UPS crash in Louisville "We continue to work with Boeing and the FAA to address any required inspection and maintenance that may be needed to return our MD-11 aircraft safely to service," said FedEx in a statement, according to Reuters. FedEx has not stated if the MD-11's grounding will affect its long-term strategy or how many aircraft will return to service or if it plans to accelerate retirements of the aircraft, according to AvWeb. More updates and information will be provided as the return-to-service process progresses.