What happened
On December 18, 2003, a FedEx Corporation cargo flight, operating as flight 647, was completing an instrument flight rules mission from Oakland, California, to Memphis, Tennessee. The aircraft, a Boeing MD-10-10F registered as N364FE, arrived at Memphis International Airport at approximately 12:26 CST.
Upon touchdown on runway 36R, the right main landing gear failed. This structural failure caused the aircraft to veer toward the right side of the runway. The impact and subsequent movement triggered a fire on the right side of the airframe. The resulting blaze was intense enough to consume the right wing and parts of the fuselage.
There were seven people on board the aircraft, consisting of two active flight crewmembers and five non-revenue pilots. During the emergency evacuation, the first officer and one of the non-revenue pilots sustained minor injuries.
Findings
- The primary mechanical failure involved the collapse of the right main landing gear immediately following touchdown.
- The accident resulted in significant structural damage to the aircraft's right wing and fuselage due to post-crash fire.