FedEx to Resume MD-11 Cargo Operations With Bearing Repairs and Pilot Retraining

FedEx plans to return grounded MD-11 freighters to service following a comprehensive repair program addressing structural failures that led to the November crash of UPS Flight 2976 in Louisville. Technicians will travel to 16 global locations to remove wing-mounted engine pylons from 29 aircraft, shipping them to heavy maintenance facilities in Indianapolis and Memphis for installation of redesigned Boeing bearings. Key Details FedEx expects to resume commercial MD-11 operations by late May pending FAA approval of Boeing's corrective action plan. The carrier will gradually reintroduce the aircraft while requiring all MD-11 pilots to complete a mandatory three-day refresher training course. Boeing has submitted its engineering analysis to the FAA, which must formally approve the safety modifications before flights resume. Why It Matters The November accident killed 14 people and exposed critical fatigue cracks in engine pylon components, specifically in the aft lug nut and metal bearings. The NTSB investigation identified that ball bearings fractured under extreme tension from engine torque and thrust variations. This repair initiative represents a major logistics undertaking but is essential for restoring confidence in MD-11 cargo operations across the industry.