The FAA has expanded its emergency airworthiness directive regarding MD-11 engine pylons to include predecessor DC-10 aircraft. The FAA finds these aircraft are subject to the the same unsafe condition as exists on the MD-11 and MD-11(F).
The engine-pylon structure of the Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes is similar in design to that of the Model MD-10-10F, MD-10-30F, DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, and DC-10-40F airplanes.
Which aircraft are affected?
Practically speaking, based on Flightradar24 data for operational aircraft, the expanded airworthiness directive affects eight (8) additional aircraft. These are the aircraft that have operated within the past month. Two 10 Tanker DC-10s, N603AX and N522AX, are already undergoing heavy maintenance checks.
| Operator | Registration | Aircraft type |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Tanker | N17085 | DC-10-30 |
| 10 Tanker | N603AX* | DC-10-30(ER) |
| 10 Tanker | N612AX | DC-10-30(ER) |
| 10 Tanker | N522AX* | DC-10-30 |
| Omega Air | N974VV | DC-10-40 |
| Omega Air | N264DE | DC-10-30 |
| Orbis Flying Eye Hospital | N330AU | MD-10-30F |
| TAB Cargo | CP-2791 | MD-10-30F |
