The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an emergency airworthiness directive mandating immediate inspections of all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft before any further flight operations can resume. The directive, released today, follows concerns raised by Boeing over potential safety issues affecting the structural or operational integrity of the model, prompting swift action by regulators and operators alike.
A UPS Cargo aircraft, operating as flight UPS2976, has crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, resulting in a major explosion and fire near the airfield. The aircraft involved, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, was on a routine cargo flight when it went down soon after departure, reportedly striking a UPS warehouse adjacent to the airport.
Argentina’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has initiated the auction of three ex-Austral MD80 aircraft currently in storage. The aircraft include two MD83s, with serial numbers 53117 and 49906, and one MD88, serial 53049. The combined value of the auction is estimated at US$45 million.
