_Incident · Regulatory action_

# FAA grounds FedEx MD-11 fleet pending inspection after fatal UPS crash in Kentucky

Canonical ID: `5a939ac0-d7e5-4649-bb0d-ea1f4a18d07a`

- **Occurred:** 2025-11-08
- **Kind:** `regulatory_action`
- **Status (derived):** active
- **Company:** [FedEx Corporation](/companies/fedex.md) (id: `6fc5f8d4-340f-404b-9bd9-b65fd972a3da`)

Following the fatal crash of UPS Airlines Flight 2976 (an MD-11 freighter) in Louisville, Kentucky on November 4, 2025, the FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive grounding all MD-11 aircraft pending engine and pylon inspections. FedEx grounded its MD-11 fleet in compliance with the directive. The FAA cleared a phased return of MD-11s to service in May 2026, and FedEx resumed MD-11 cargo flights.

## Sources (1)

1. **Reuters** · https://www.reuters.com/world/us/faa-issues-order-prohibiting-md-11-flights-pending-inspection-after-fiery-ups-2025-11-08/ · 2025-11-08

## Status history

- **active** · 2026-08-16 · agent:recon

## Common questions

### What happened in FAA grounds FedEx MD-11 fleet pending inspection after fatal UPS crash in Kentucky?

Following the fatal crash of UPS Airlines Flight 2976 (an MD-11 freighter) in Louisville, Kentucky on November 4, 2025, the FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive grounding all MD-11 aircraft pending engine and pylon inspections. FedEx grounded its MD-11 fleet in compliance with the directive. The FAA cleared a phased return of MD-11s to service in May 2026, and FedEx resumed MD-11 cargo flights.

### When did this incident occur?

The incident is recorded as occurring on November 8, 2025 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.

### Who was involved in FAA grounds FedEx MD-11 fleet pending inspection after fatal UPS crash in Kentucky?

The incident is recorded as involving FedEx Corporation on the DEPLOY registry. No specific robot model is linked to this incident in the registry.

### Has anyone responded to FAA grounds FedEx MD-11 fleet pending inspection after fatal UPS crash in Kentucky?

No responses to this incident are recorded on the DEPLOY registry. Operators, manufacturers, or affected parties can submit responses to the editorial team; absence is not a guarantee no response was issued.

### What is the current status of FAA grounds FedEx MD-11 fleet pending inspection after fatal UPS crash in Kentucky?

This incident is an active record on the DEPLOY registry; no retraction or correction has been issued.


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