MD-11 cargo jets cleared to return to service

The Federal Aviation Administration has approved Boeing's (BA) safety protocols for returning McDonnell Douglas MD-11 airplanes to commercial service. The authorization, granted on May 11, 2026, follows several months of grounding for the MD-11 cargo fleet while regulators and investigators reviewed safety issues related to the aircraft.

The decision applies to MD-11 cargo planes, including those linked to a deadly crash near Louisville, Kentucky. Regulators concluded a detailed safety review before clearing the aircraft to resume operations under the new protocols.

The MD-11s were grounded after a fatal crash in November 2025 near Louisville involving a UPS-operated cargo flight. The accident resulted in the loss of 15 lives and triggered extensive safety inspections and regulatory scrutiny of the MD-11 fleet.

According to reported coverage, the MD-11 cargo planes involved in last fall's deadly UPS crash in Louisville returned to the air on May 11, 2026. Their return followed the FAA's formal approval of Boeing's (BA) updated safety procedures for the aircraft type.

Following the FAA's decision, FedEx (FDX) has resumed operations with its MD-11 cargo fleet. The company had temporarily retired or grounded these aircraft while regulators evaluated their safety and while Boeing prepared and submitted new operating protocols.

FedEx (FDX) restarted MD-11 flights over the weekend after the May 11 approval, marking a significant step in restoring capacity for long-haul cargo services that relied on the tri-jet freighters.

Despite the regulatory clearance for the aircraft to return to service, the National Transportation Safety Board is continuing its investigation into the November 2025 crash near Louisville. The accident remains under active review, with the NTSB working to determine contributing factors and potential safety enhancements.

Hearings are scheduled for later this month to further examine the causes of the crash. Those proceedings are expected to assess flight operations, aircraft performance and adherence to safety procedures surrounding the incident.

The FAA's approval centers on Boeing's protocols designed to ensure the MD-11 can operate safely in cargo service. These measures follow months of inspections, analysis and coordination among the manufacturer, airlines and regulators prompted by the Louisville crash.

By tying the aircraft's return to specific safety protocols, regulators have sought to address concerns raised by the accident while allowing carriers such as FedEx to restore use of their MD-11 fleets under updated requirements.