McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Faces Renewed Scrutiny After UPS Crash

The recent crash of a UPS Airlines cargo jet in Louisville, Kentucky, has reignited concerns surrounding the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft. Once a common sight in commercial aviation, the MD-11 is now primarily utilized for freight. The incident on November 4, 2023, has prompted discussions about the aircraft’s long-standing reputation for poor handling and high accident rates.

Originally designed as a passenger aircraft, the MD-11 quickly gained notoriety for its difficult flight characteristics. Pilots noted its tendency for rough landings, with a significantly higher hard-landing rate than its competitors. While some attributed this to pilot error, structural design flaws played a critical role in its challenging handling.

Design Flaws and Pilot Challenges

The MD-11’s design included a flight computer programmed similarly to that of the DC-10, yet it lacked the same aerodynamic properties. This discrepancy led to the aircraft earning the nickname “Scud,” referencing an uncontrolled missile known for its unpredictability during the Iran-Iraq War. Pilots often joked about the MD-11’s landing unpredictability, highlighting its reputation for rough approaches and hard landings.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the MD-11 recorded the highest rate of hard landing events among 27 large Western-built aircraft types. A study by Safe Fly Aviation indicated a staggering rate of 5.63 hard landings per million flight cycles. This alarming statistic underscores the challenges faced by pilots operating the MD-11, particularly during landing phases.

The aircraft’s design flaws contributed to a high sink rate and bouncing upon touchdown, leading to numerous mishaps. A notable incident occurred in 2010 when a Lufthansa Cargo MD-11F crashed at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, prompting a thorough investigation by the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia and the NTSB.

Implications for the Future

In July 2011, the NTSB recommended revisions to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot training curriculum for the MD-11, emphasizing the importance of managing high sink rates during landing. Despite these recommendations, the aircraft continued to struggle with reputation and safety issues.

Statistics from Safe Fly Aviation reveal concerning overall figures for the MD-11: a total of 200 aircraft produced, with approximately 50 aviation mishaps and 244 fatalities tied to hull-loss accidents. The fatal accident rate stands at around 0.57 per million flights, raising significant concerns about the aircraft’s operational safety.

The MD-11’s commercial relevance diminished as airlines transitioned to more efficient models. Operators like American Airlines and Singapore Airlines offloaded their MD-11 fleets to cargo carriers, while Boeing’s merger with McDonnell Douglas in 1997 ultimately led to the cessation of MD-11 production in 2001. The last commercial passenger flight occurred in 2014 when KLM retired its last MD-11.

Despite these challenges, the MD-11 continues to serve within the cargo sector, where it remains a viable option for operators seeking balance between payload and range. UPS Airlines, which has maintained a fleet of MD-11F aircraft, is in the process of transitioning to newer models such as the Boeing 767-300F.

The tragic crash of UPS Flight 2976 has further complicated the future of the MD-11. Following the incident, the preliminary investigation is ongoing, with local authorities responding to reports of an explosion near the airport. As the aviation community awaits the findings, there is speculation that this event may signal the end of the MD-11’s operational career.

The legacy of the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 serves as a cautionary tale in aviation history. Despite its innovative design at the time of introduction, the aircraft’s safety record and handling difficulties have overshadowed its potential. Should operators decide to retire their remaining MD-11 fleets, only a few models from McDonnell Douglas will remain in service, primarily in specialized roles. As the aviation industry evolves, the MD-11’s story may soon become a chapter of the past.