What’s Next for the MD-11 After the Recent Crash

AeroMoning January 28, 2026

Following the deadly November 4, 2025 MD-11 crash near Louisville, Kentucky, the future of the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter has become a central aviation safety topic.

FAA Grounding After the Crash

In the days after the accident, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued emergency airworthiness directives grounding all MD-11 aircraft, including freighters operated by UPS, FedEx, and other carriers, until required inspections and corrective actions are completed as part of the ongoing investigation. The FAA continues to review “all the facts and circumstances” before allowing the type to fly again.

UPS: Retirement of the MD-11 Fleet

United Parcel Service (UPS) announced it has retired its entire MD-11 fleet following the tragedy. CEO Carol Tome stated during the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call that UPS decided to “accelerate our plans and retire all MD-11 aircraft in our fleet”. Before retirement, MD-11s accounted for approximately 9% of UPS’s fleet. With this retirement, UPS now operates zero MD-11s.

FedEx: MD-11 G
rounded but Expected to Return to Service

By contrast, FedEx Express still retains its MD-11 fleet, which numbered around 28 freighters prior to the grounding. FedEx has not announced a permanent retirement of these aircraft. According to an official statement reported by Reuters, the company is working with Boeing and the FAA to perform necessary inspections and maintenance and expects to return its MD-11s to service by May 31, 2026.

Remaining MD-11s After UPS Pulls Out

With UPS’s retirement, the majority of MD-11 aircraft still potentially in service will be with FedEx (around 28), with a handful potentially belonging to smaller operators such as Western Global Airlines.

Outlook

• FAA: All MD-11s grounded pending inspection and corrective action.
• UPS: 0 MD-11s in service after fleet retirement.
• FedEx: Approximately 28 MD-11s expected to return after inspections by mid-2026.
• Smaller operators: Very limited remaining numbers.

The outcome of the FAA review and ongoing investigations — including by the NTSB — will determine whether and how the MD-11 can continue flying safely in global cargo operations.

Source: FAA