MD11F down in China

MD-11, N526FE, 23/3/09.

The FedEx plane in Japan was also an MD11, or was it a DC10?

NTSB and the Chinese equivalent.

Who is going to investigate this accident?

Varig possibly had different maintenance culture than let’s say Lufthansa. But I strongly doubt that is a factor in this accident. “Bad maintenance” normally reduces operational readiness and causes head-ache in the airline operations department. Airplanes rarely crash due to “bad maintenance”.

The fact that this start-up airline from Africa got an ex-Varig aircraft tells that the resale value isn’t that great (while no freighters sells very good lately).

Avient isn’t a start-up airline. It’s been operating since 1993 and operating DC-10’s since 2005. The MD-11 type was new to Avient.

Varig possibly had different maintenance culture than let’s say Lufthansa. But I strongly doubt that is a factor in this accident. “Bad maintenance” normally reduces operational readiness and causes head-ache in the airline operations department. Airplanes rarely crash due to “bad maintenance”.

The fact that this start-up airline from Africa got an ex-Varig aircraft tells that the resale value isn’t that great (while no freighters sells very good lately).

Well I’m not aware of any MD11’s reaching the end of their design lives.
Of course Varig had two MD11 fleets. The first were GE powered & include the Centurion machine. These were replaced by secondhand P&W powered aircraft like the Avient machine. MD11 production was short so there is very little, if any, difference in the age of either fleet.

My memory, which could be faulty is trying to remember and failing at the moment, of a statement I read somewhere that Varig aircraft had little worth on the resale market.

As a coincidence and in no way to corroborate my statement, the Centurion plane incident on Montevideo last October was an MD-11 and previously owned by Varig.

Yes it is, but a coat of paint can hide a thousand sins. I think this is an ex-Varig plane and I seem to remember, from where I don’t know, that all Varig planes had reached the end of their serviceable life after service with that airline.:confused:

Not sure that’s a valid comment. We have several former Varig MD11’s & they are just as reliable as the rest of the fleet, which is very reliable.:)

Yes it is, but a coat of paint can hide a thousand sins. I think this is an ex-Varig plane and I seem to remember, from where I don’t know, that all Varig planes had reached the end of their serviceable life after service with that airline.:confused:

So you’re saying that particular aircraft shouldn’t have been flying?

Paul

Couldn’t agree more, Steve. Couldn’t agree more. 🙁

Paul

Yes it is, but a coat of paint can hide a thousand sins. I think this is an ex-Varig plane and I seem to remember, from where I don’t know, that all Varig planes had reached the end of their serviceable life after service with that airline.:confused:

What a beautiful looking aircraft…such a shame

Couldn’t agree more, Steve. Couldn’t agree more. 🙁

Paul

What a beautiful looking aircraft…such a shame

Sad loss and of course condolences to those concerned.:( Flew on a Finnair example some years ago, was one of the smoothest rides aloft.

it was posted at 5:00am though! 😉

Up with the birds then!;)

At least you put it in the correct forum.:)

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=96006

it was posted at 5:00am though! 😉

Either a weight&CG issue or wrongly calculated take-off speed (while I doubt that).

Not impossible though, remember MK Airlines – Halifax – 2004

The list of MD-11 on airfleets reads like the list of a platoon after heavy combat. The phrase “written off” can be read quite often. I think the MD-11 remains on of the most dangerous aircraft of our times. At least it mostly flies boxes.
This one is a bit strange though. 4000m runway. Either a weight&CG issue or wrongly calculated take-off speed (while I doubt that).

BBC reporting Three American Crew Members Killed in the crash.

This Aircraft was only recently delivered, the companys first MD-11, ex Varig A/C.

Only with them a week (or less) apparently…

BBC reporting Three American Crew Members Killed in the crash.

This Aircraft was only recently delivered, the companys first MD-11, ex Varig A/C.