McDonnell Douglas MD-11F N608FE
31 May 2002 · Seatac, Washington, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 31 May 2002 at about 14:55 local time, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F registered N608FE, operated by Federal Express Corp., was involved in an incident near Seatac, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 14:55
- Classification
- Incident
- Location
- Seatac, Washington, United States
- Nearest airport
- Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA)
- Coordinates
- 47.4611, -122.3017
- Aircraft
- McDonnell Douglas MD-11F
- Registration
- N608FE
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 3
- Operator
- Federal Express Corp.
- Operating rule
- Part 121: Air Carrier
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Seatac → Oakland
- Aircraft damage
- Minor
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- SEA02IA092
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
Failure of the copilot's forward (R1) windshield anti-ice controller resulting in a continuous over voltage condition, followed by the subsequent overheating and shattering of the windscreen.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The MD-11F freighter was parked on the ramp with electrical power applied undergoing minor corrective maintenance as the crew was preparing for departure. The Captain was conducting the standard "flow" checks ensuring Windshield Anti-Ice selected OFF and Windshield De-Fog selected ON when the co-pilot's forward windshield panel (R1) cracked and the crew observed what they described as flames emanating from the lower portion of the windshield. The Captain de-powered the aircraft and the fire condition dissipated. Post-incident examination of the R1 windshield anti-ice controller revealed shorts within the controller unit which, when power was applied, led to an uncontrollable and continuous application of power to the R1 windshield anti-ice heating element. The continuous power condition led to overheating and subsequent shattering of the windshield while the aircraft was parked on the ramp with system power applied.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other McDonnell Douglas MD-11F accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Jun 2002 | McDonnell Douglas MD-11F | Subic Bay, Philippines | Federal Express Corp | No injuries | - |
| 30 May 2003 | McDonnell Douglas MD-11F | Jamaica, New York, United States | Gemini Air Cargo Inc | No injuries | - |
| 7 Jun 2005 | McDonnell Douglas MD-11F | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 5 Oct 1999 | McDonnell Douglas MD-11F | Newark, New Jersey, United States | Fedex | No injuries | - |
| 17 Oct 1999 | McDonnell Douglas MD-11F | Subic Bay, Philippines | Federal Express, Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 23 Mar 2010 | McDonnell Douglas MD-11F | Hungary | Federal Express Corp | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Jan 2002 | Cessna 150M | Clinton, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 13 Jan 2002 | Cessna 150G | Ilwaco, Washington, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 8 Jan 2002 | Hughes 369E | Grand Coulee, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 2 May 2002 | American Champion (Acac) 8KCAB | Davenport, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 13 Jun 2002 | Cessna 172K | Clarkston, Washington, United States | Huck, Barry P. | No injuries | - |
| 18 Mar 2002 | Cessna 152 | NAS Whidbey, Washington, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |