Even though this happened almost more than twenty years ago, I had never heard this story before . . . absolutely riveting.

Fantastic ! I can't understand why they didn't take out Calloway.

That was very interesting, thanks Mike. Too bad they did not have a couple of good stun guns.

Hard for me at least to imagine a DC-10 doing those sorts of maneuvers, certainly some incredible piloting I would think.

Wow!

I casually knew First Officer James Tucker as he flew aerobatic aircraft out of the Dewitt-Spain airport on the Memphis river bluff. He suffered the most from the attack but did go back to CA flying for awhile.

The aftermath of the DC-10 was a full rebuild as virtually every inch of the aircraft was over stressed and both main landing gears were rammed well into the wing assembly as they landed hard, fast and full of fuel - well over maximum design limits. Amazing the aircraft held together. Remarkable piloting as well, especially considering the wounds everyone suffered.

Still makes me cringe when I hear the CVR.

Once upon a time FedEx employees could jump seat anywhere that they flew. That ended after Flight 705.

Thanks. You never know when you have to do or die.

Amazing. So glad they overbuild aircraft! Incredible piloting skills. Great story.

What means it when AC refers to the flight as 705 "Heavy" ? Heard that before and wondered what it refers to.

Grizz

Heavy as in BIG aircraft (135+ ton) and not a Cessna 172 (400 pounds soaking wet ). All that ATC knows is the tail number not the type and size of equipment.

quote:

Still makes me cringe when I hear the CVR.

Indeed. It's an intense piece of tape. Those guys are amazing for getting back down in one piece.

quote:

Originally posted by Grizzly Adams:
What means it when AC refers to the flight as 705 "Heavy" ? Heard that before and wondered what it refers to.

Grizz

Aircraft with a take off gross weight of 300,000 lbs or more use the term "Heavy" in front of their call sign to warn other aircraft in the area to maintain legal/safe separation in flight and on take off. If you are on an IFR flight plan ATC knows exactly what kind of airplane you are. Once again the HEAVY designation is for other aircraft operating in the vicinity.

We also now have the "Super" designation for aircraft over 1,000,000 lbs TOGW.

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
Heavy as in BIG aircraft (135+ ton) and not a Cessna 172 (400 pounds soaking wet ). All that ATC knows is the tail number not the type and size of equipment.

Not true. ATC knows exactly what you are. Heavy is generically any wide body aircraft, although 757s get the same separation even though they are a narrow body.

Sorry, Surestrike. didn't read your post before writing mine.

For anyone interested, here's the book on the incident:

http://www.amazon.com/Hijacked...Flight/dp/0440613884

It is one of the great unsung heroic stories of aviation. If it weren't for Jim Tucker and Andy Peterson (whom were grievously wounded) fighting Calloway, he might have destroyed Fedex. Calloway (the fucking POS douchebag hijacker) intended to crash the plane into the FedEx hub in Memphis.

quote:

Originally posted by A7Dave:

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
Heavy as in BIG aircraft (135+ ton) and not a Cessna 172 (400 pounds soaking wet ). All that ATC knows is the tail number not the type and size of equipment.

Not true. ATC knows exactly what you are. Heavy is generically any wide body aircraft, although 757s get the same separation even though they are a narrow body.

Sorry, Surestrike. didn't read your post before writing mine.

For anyone interested, here's the book on the incident:

http://www.amazon.com/Hijacked...Flight/dp/0440613884

It is one of the great unsung heroic stories of aviation. If it weren't for Jim Tucker and Andy Peterson (whom were grievously wounded) fighting Calloway, he might have destroyed Fedex. Calloway (the fucking POS douchebag hijacker) intended to crash the plane into the FedEx hub in Memphis.

No worries Dave.