McDonnell Douglas DC-10 - VibeWire Magazine

FAA Expands Engine Pylon Airworthiness Directive To DC-10

This follows from a deadly crash that occurred in Kentucky.

The two manufacturers built some of the most iconic passenger aircraft of the 20th century.

Lockheed’s trijet was outsold by the DC-10 after early engine and certification problems.

Most of North America’s deadliest air crashes occurred last century.

Despite their initial popularity, very few trijet aircraft remain in commercial service today.

As an epilogue, Omega Air continues to refuel US aircraft with ex-Japan Airlines and Dutch KC-10 even after the Air Force retired them.

Only eight DC-10s remain operational around the world – mostly in the United States as firebombers and tankers.

The tradition dates back to the first plane in the fleet.

George Fletcher Gardner Jr became the first DC-10 fatality after getting sucked out of a window over New Mexico.

What were the key differences between the once highly popular tri-jets?