NEW YORK, May 12 (V7N) – The McDonnell Douglas MD-11, the cargo jet involved in a deadly November crash, has been cleared to return to service by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“After extensive review, the FAA approved Boeing's protocol for safely returning MD-11 airplanes to service,” an FAA spokesperson said Monday.

The grounding of all MD-11s was ordered on November 9, 2025, following a UPS cargo plane accident in Louisville, Kentucky, that killed 14 people, including 11 on the ground. The aircraft, bound for Hawaii, crashed after one engine detached during takeoff and caught fire, exploding upon impact with nearby industrial buildings.

A preliminary National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report released on November 20 identified fatigue cracks in a critical component attaching the engines to the wings. An investigative hearing is scheduled for May 19.

Boeing, which acquired McDonnell Douglas in 1997, said it has issued inspection instructions to MD-11 operators after receiving FAA approval.

UPS, which had grounded its MD-11 fleet four days after the crash, accelerated retirement of its aircraft, completing the process as part of broader fleet modernization efforts. “The aircraft is no longer part of our operation,” a UPS spokesperson said.

FedEx, by contrast, has been preparing to return its MD-11s to service. Two FedEx MD-11s resumed commercial flights on Sunday, departing from Memphis Airport, Tennessee, one to Miami and the other to Los Angeles, following completion of the required Boeing-approved repairs and test flights.

This development marks a significant step in the MD-11’s operational return while safety investigations continue.

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