Overview
- FedEx resumed limited MD-11 service Sunday after required repairs and test flights, with N621FE flying Memphis–Miami and N521FE flying Memphis–Los Angeles.
- The FAA said Monday it approved Boeing’s return-to-service protocol that installs a new spherical bearing in each side pylon’s aft mount and shortens inspection intervals.
- Investigators say the UPS jet that crashed in November lost its left engine and pylon on takeoff due to fatigue cracking in the attachment area, with hearings set for May 19–20.
- UPS retired all MD-11s in January, while FedEx owns 46 of the trijets with many stored as it plans a gradual phaseout over time.
- Victims’ lawsuits claim UPS, Boeing and others ignored known risks in the engine‑pylon system, a fight that could influence accountability and compensation for families and businesses.