FedEx Express Flight 630

FedEx Flight 630 was a regular scheduled cargo flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Memphis International Airport, Memphis, Tennessee. On July 28, 2006, the McDonnell Douglas MD-10-10F operating the flight, crashed upon landing due to a landing gear failure.[1] The main left undercarriage collapsed 7 seconds after touchdown causing the MD-10 to roll off the runway out of control. The aircraft finally came to a stop near taxiway M4 and caught fire. The fire consumed the wing and port engine and the crash and evacuation left the 2 crew-members and the sole passenger, an off-duty crew-member, injured.[2]

FedEx Express Flight 630
Burnt out wing and Port- Side engine after N391FE crash landed
Accident
DateJuly 28, 2006 (2006-07-28)
SummaryUndercarriage failure. Crash landing and fire caused by Metal fatigue due to inadequate maintenance
SiteMemphis International Airport, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Aircraft
Aircraft typeMcDonnell Douglas MD-10-10F
Aircraft nameChandra
OperatorFedEx Express
RegistrationN391FE
Flight originSeattle-Tacoma International Airport
DestinationMemphis International Airport, Memphis, Tennessee
Occupants3
Passengers1
Crew2
Injuries3
Survivors3 (all)

Aircraft
Aircraft involved photographed prior to delivery from United Airlines

The aircraft involved was a McDonnell Douglas MD-10-10F registration N391FE was built in 1974 and delivered to FedEx Express on May 21, 1997. Like quite a few of FedEx MD-10s, this aircraft was originally delivered to United Airlines (N391FE was originally delivered to United Airlines in February 1975 as N1826U). While in service with United, the aircraft was temporarily leased to 2 other airlines, World Airways and Leisure Air. With Line number 169 and Construction Number (MSN) 46625 the aircraft was 32.2 years old at the time of the accident. The airframe was written off as a result of the incident and broken up shortly thereafter.[3] The aircraft was nicknamed Chandra.[4]

At the time of the crash, FedEx had 81 other McDonnell Douglas MD-10F in its fleet.[5]

Accident

FedEx Flight 630 was a regular scheduled cargo flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Memphis International Airport, Memphis, Tennessee which was operated by the company's 82 McDonnell Douglas MD-10F aircraft. On 28 July, N391FE was conducting a visual approach to runway 18R was initially flown with the autopilot engaged and coupled to the ILS. The first officer was the pilot flying for the landing. At 1600 feet the airplane was configured for a landing. At 400 feet the autopilot was disconnected, the final approach segment was smooth.[6] Upon touchdown, the left main gear collapsed causing the left wing to contact the runway, with the airplane veering to the left and coming to a stop near taxiway M4.

Investigation

The NTSB launched an investigation into the crash. The final report, released in 2008, cited a fatigue crack in the air filler valve hole caused by inadequate maintenance.[7]

References
  1. Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft accident McDonnell Douglas MD-10-10F N391FE Memphis International Airport, TN (MEM)". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
  2. "Accident: FedEx MD-10 at Memphis on July 28th 2006, gear collapsed on landing, plane caught fire". avherald.com. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
  3. "N391FE Federal Express (FedEx) McDonnell Douglas MD-10-10F - cn 46625 / 169". www.planespotters.net. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
  4. "N391FE Federal Express (FedEx) McDonnell Douglas MD-10-10F - cn 46625 / 169". www.planespotters.net. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
  5. "Federal Express (FedEx) Fleet Details and History". www.planespotters.net. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
  6. "Accident: FedEx MD-10 at Memphis on July 28th 2006, gear collapsed on landing, plane caught fire". avherald.com. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
  7. "DCA06FA058: Full Narrative". www.ntsb.gov. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
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