By Jake Hardiman and Dr. Omar Memon
Updated
It has been more than 30 years since the alarming incident unfolded.
Photo: Dean Morley | Flickr
Summary
- FedEx Flight 705, a DC-10-30, was targeted by a hijacker aiming to crash the aircraft for a life insurance payout.
- The crew thwarted the hijacker's plans, subduing him despite serious injuries, landing safely in Memphis.
- Despite $1.7 million in damage, the aircraft remained in service, possibly retired at 37.5 years old.
April marked the 30th anniversary of a perilous situation that occurred onboard Federal Express (FedEx) Flight 705, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 freighter. A FedEx employee flying as a deadhead passenger on the scheduled flight attempted to hijack the aircraft. The hijacker carried a speargun and several hammers inside a guitar case with a motive to kill the crew before attempting to crash the aircraft.
Hijacker Auburn R. Calloway hoped that he would appear to be killed in the accident, so his family could collect a life insurance sum of $2.5 million provided by the company. Despite several tools and a weapon onboard, Calloway's efforts to incapacitate the crew were unsuccessful. The crew fought hard to subduce the hijacker and regain control of the aircraft, and managed to land it safely.
A flight like any other
- Aircraft type: McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30F
- Aircraft name: John Peter Jr.
- Operator: Federal Express
- Registration: N306FE
- Flight origin: Memphis International Airport (MEM), Memphis, Tennessee
- Destination: Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), San Jose, California
FedEx flight 705 originated at the airline's primary hub, Tennessee's Memphis International Airport (MEM). Its destination was Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) in California. Operated by a McDonnell Douglas DC-10, this would have been one of many such daily departures outside of Memphis.
On April 7th, 1994, the flight to San Jose was being operated by a three-person crew. This consisted of Captain David G. Sanders, First Officer James M. Tucker Jr, and Flight Engineer Andrew H. Peterson. The role of the flight engineer was previously a common aspect on older aircraft, before the introduction of glass co*ckpits.
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There was also a fourth person onboard, namely Aubrey Calloway. Like Peterson, Calloway was also a flight engineer, but, for this particular sector, was merely traveling in the aircraft's jumpseat. However, Calloway had intentions that were far more sinister than simply 'deadheading' to San Jose, as soon became clear.
.jpg "How A FedEx Crew Overcame Serious Injuries To Recover A Hijack Situation And Land Safely (4)")
The aircraft involved has since been converted to a McDonnell Douglas MD-10F. Photo: Nathan Coats via Wikimedia Commons
Attacked in the air
- Date: April 7, 1994, 30.1 years ago
- Event: Attempted suicide hijacking
- Incident: Emergency landing
- Site: Memphis International Airport (MEM)
According to the Aviation Safety Network, Calloway was facing dismissal from FedEx for lying about his previous flying experience. In retaliation, he hatched a plan to bring down one of the company's aircraft. The first stage of this was to disable the co*ckpit voice recorder to cover his tracks, although this was switched back on.
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Calloway aimed to render the flight crew unable to control the aircraft, before crashing the plane himself. His goal was reportedly to appear to be the victim of an accident, thus allowing his family to benefit from a life insurance payout. As such, as the aircraft climbed through 19,000 feet 26 minutes after departing Memphis, he attacked the three flight crew members multiple times with a hammer.
Calloway then fetched a speargun, which Peterson attempted to wrestle from him, while Tucker, despite his injuries, forced the plane into a climb before rolling it to try and make Calloway lose his balance. Following this, he put the aircraft into a steep dive, before leveling out at 5,000 feet due to control surfaces ceasing to respond. Now level, Sanders eventually managed to attack and disarm Calloway.
Image: FlightRadar24.com
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The end of the ordeal
- Flight occupants: Four
- Crew: Three
- Passengers: One (hijacker)
- Fatalities: None
- Injuries: Four (serious)
- Survivors: Four (all)
Despite serious injuries, and $800,000 ($1.7 million today) of damage to the aircraft, the crew were eventually able to land in Memphis. The situation's urgency meant that there was no time to dump any fuel, and the plane was subsequently 16,000 kg over its maximum landing weight when it touched down. Calloway was handed two life sentences for attempted murder air piracy.
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As for the aircraft, which bears the registration N306FE (MSN 48287, Line Number 409), ch-aviation.com noted that it remained active until February 2023 at the age of 37.5 years. Data from Planespotters.net shows that the aircraft is currently in a "stored" status. While the aircraft has not been retired, it is unclear if it will be restored for service or will be retired for good.
The aircraft remained with FedEx for its entire career, although, according to ATDB.aero, it was out of action between September 2007 and April 2008. During this time, it was converted from a DC-10 to an MD-10, which removed the need for a flight engineer.
What do you make of this incident? Can you remember it happening at the time? let us know your thoughts and recollections in the comments.
