A FedEx MD-11F aircraft crashed at Tokyo Narita International Airport, overturning and catching fire. The incident was attributed to challenging windy conditions, the pilot’s relative inexperience with the aircraft type, and the MD-11’s known handling difficulties. Safety recommendations have emphasized addressing human factors to minimize errors.
The crash of Delta Connection 4819 in Toronto recently drew attention due to its unusual sequence of events. The Bombardier CRJ-900 flipped upside down and caught fire, prompting investigators to seek answers. This incident bears a resemblance to a tragic accident that occurred 16 years earlier involving a FedEx MD-11F at Tokyo Narita.
On March 23, 2009, FedEx Flight 80 operated by N526FE departed from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in China for Tokyo Narita. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 had been previously used for testing by NASA and later served as an airliner before being converted into a cargo plane for FedEx Express.
The flight crew consisted of Captain Kevin Mosley, a former fighter pilot aged 54, and First Officer Anthony Pino, aged 49 and a former Lockheed C-5 Galaxy pilot. Despite signs of fatigue during their overnight flight from Guangzhou to Tokyo, investigators concluded that adequate rest periods were provided throughout their trip.
As Flight 80 approached Narita Airport on March 23rd, they encountered gusty winds at speeds up to 40 knots. During landing on Runway 34L, First Officer Pino disengaged the autopilot at low altitude but struggled with controlling the aircraft as it bounced upon touchdown. The left wing hit the ground causing structural failure followed by fire; both pilots lost their lives.
The Japan Transportation Safety Board (JTSB) investigated this accident alongside America’s National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Their final report identified porpoising oscillations caused by late flare during landing as probable cause along with contributing factors such as windy conditions and First Officer Pino’s limited experience landing this type of aircraft.
To prevent similar accidents from occurring again several recommendations were made including modifications to improve maneuverability especially during landings review designs preventing fuel spillage leading fires creating visual/aural alerts indicating whether landing gear is contacting ground among others
FedEx Express also revised flight manuals/training emphasizing go-around options following these findings aiming enhance safety standards across aviation industry ensuring pilots’ human error susceptibility addressed proactively
In light recent Delta Connection crash investigations continue identifying underlying causes implementing necessary changes ensure future incidents avoided altogether thereby maintaining high level security within air travel sector globally
