FedEx cargo aircraft N621FE, an MD-11F freighter, has returned to the skies after remaining grounded for nearly six months following the UPS Flight 2976 crash in Louisville in November 2025. The aircraft recently completed a test flight from Memphis, signaling a possible return to active service.
The aircraft had been out of operation during a period when cargo carriers closely reviewed fleet operations and safety procedures after the Louisville incident. Its latest flight is being seen as an important step toward reactivation within the FedEx cargo network.
Industry observers say bringing the MD-11F back into service could help ease operational pressure on FedEx’s Boeing 777F fleet, which has been handling increased cargo demand across international routes. The MD-11F continues to play a key role in long-haul freight operations despite the gradual modernization of global cargo fleets.
FedEx has not yet officially confirmed the aircraft’s full return to commercial operations, but the successful test flight from Memphis indicates that preparations for re-entry into service are progressing.
