FedEx on Sunday operated an MD-11 freighter aircraft in commercial service for the first time since early November after the Federal Aviation Administration lifted a flight ban that was implemented following the fiery crash of a UPS cargo jet.
“After extensive review, the FAA approved Boeing’s protocol for safely returning MD-11 airplanes to service,” the agency said in a statement provided to FreightWaves.
FedEx (NYSE: FDX) conducted a short test flight in and out of Memphis International Airport on Saturday evening. FreightWaves previously reported that FedEx was on the cusp of resurrecting its fleet of 29 McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft after jointly developing with Boeing a new part aimed at correcting a flaw that led to fatigue cracks in the airframe. FedEx told employees during a town hall last week that it would gradually phase in the remaining planes after they go through maintenance facilities to replace the component and pilots complete a refresher training course.
FedEx on Sunday operated one MD-11 from its super hub in Memphis to Los Angeles International Airport, according to data on aircraft tracking site Flightradar24. A second plane flew from Memphis to Miami.
UPS Flight 2976 crashed during takeoff from Louisville airport in Kentucky when the left engine detached from the wing.. A preliminary finding by the National Transportation Safety Board last year found fatigue cracks in the pylon holding the engine to the wing. The problem was traced to a bearing in one of the lug nuts that holds the pylon together. FedEx last week said it will remove the pylons from planes where they are parked around the world and ship them to its maintenance hubs in Memphis and Indianapolis for the bearing replacement.
FedEx says it will keep operating the aging MD-11 aircraft until 2032 because it needs them to meet rising demand for cargo. UPS opted to retire its fleet of MD-11s.
Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch.
Write to Eric Kulisch at ekulisch@freightwaves.com.
RELATED STORIES:
Kentucky congressman urges FAA to permanently shut down MD-11 aircraft
FedEx prepares to reactivate grounded MD-11 fleet in May
NTSB links fatigue cracks to fatal crash of UPS cargo jet
The post FAA clears grounded MD-11s for return to service appeared first on FreightWaves.
