FAA Approves Return of MD-11 Cargo Planes After Louisville Crash
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the return of MD-11 cargo planes to service following a deadly crash involving a UPS aircraft in Louisville, Kentucky, last November. The crash occurred when an engine detached from the plane during takeoff, resulting in the deaths of three crew members and 12 people on the ground. Boeing, which acquired the original manufacturer McDonnell Douglas, has developed a fix involving the replacement of a key spherical bearing and increased inspections of engine mounts. FedEx, which operates 46 MD-11s, has resumed flights after implementing these safety measures. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) had previously identified concerns with the engine mounts, which had failed in four prior instances. Despite the crash, FedEx plans to eventually retire the MD-11s in favor of more efficient models.