FedEx MD-10-10F plane crash

The McDonnell Douglas MD-10 operated by Fedex Federal Express took off from Memphis, TN, USA for a cargo flight to Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA. 2 crewmembers were onboard. The plane crash landed at Fort Lauderdale airport and the left hand engine burst in flames. There were no injury, but the aircraft received substantial damage.

The plane performed an uneventful flight and approach normally to Fort Lauderdale airport. Crew members reported that the approach was stable and a normal landing occurred. They also reported that there had been no problem with the landing gear during the flight. Investigation shows that 12 seconds after the aircraft touched down normally on the runway, the left main gear collapsed. This lead the left engine and left wingtip to contact the ground, causing a rupture of the fuel lines and the left wing fuel tank. Fuel from the left wing ignited as the aircraft rolled down the runway, the fire continued after the aircraft came to a stop partway off the runway. A few seconds later, an explosion occurred in the vicinity of the left hand engine.

Both flight crew members escaped through the right hand cockpit window using the escape rope and did not report any injuries.

The aircraft had accumulated 84,589 flight hours in 35,606 flight cycles since its manufacture in 1972.