OMG! Did it crash?

Streakn1 · Sep 27, 2009

This past week we were dispatched to an undisclosed site to load a full set of landing gear off of a DC-10 cargo jet. The first photo below is one of the two main gear.

When we arrived where we thought we were to load the gear, we were quickly told that no it was out on one of the runways near the tower. Really, we replied as we scanned across the field towards the tower and saw nothing but grass. "No turn right outside the gate and go a short distance and you will see it on the right out on the tarmac" we were instructed. The second photo is what we arrived to find.

Other than the set of landing gear, and some various salvaged parts, plus as seen in the third photo, a small section of the cabin area that is still partially intact but badly damaged, one would never know this was once a magnificent DC-10 jet liner.

The final photo shows salvaged parts loaded onto our deck.

NOTE: There are no injuries our fatalities involving this aircraft.

Streakn1 · Sep 28, 2009

Now for you ex deck haulers and what nots out there, in looking at the photo of the landing gear, its obvious that it will have to be loaded standing up on the deck. So, if you were faced with the task of securing this piece safely and without damaging it, how would you do it? What would you do to secure and stabilize the vertical portion of this gear?

Let me give you a clue here: In the second photo, look at the sister gear next to the T/T with the dump bucket. How tall do you think that gear is?

Streakn1 · Sep 28, 2009

OK, heres the scoop. This jet was being scrapped out. The airframe no longer would pass FAA requirements, so it made its last flight here. Then the salvaging process began until the final stage which is scrapping.

The track-hoe seen in the photo has a claw instead of a bucket. The claw is used to literally chew and shred the aircraft up from one end to the other and load it into the dump bucket seen being loaded. All of this scrap will be melted down and recycled. Can you imagine being the hoe operator and being able to chew up what once was a 50-100 million dollar aircraft.

arkjarhead · Sep 28, 2009

You say you were at an undisclosed location. I'm not trying to sound like a smart ellick but if you can't say where you loaded what makes you think their cool with you taking photos of the location and then posting them on the internet?

Lawrence · Sep 28, 2009

Hey streakin that was pretty cool pics. thanks!

moose · Sep 28, 2009

It's an undisclosed area because they blindfolded him on the way there ...

Streakn1 · Sep 28, 2009

arkjarhead said:
You say you were at an undisclosed location. I'm not trying to sound like a smart ellick but if you can't say where you loaded what makes you think their cool with you taking photos of the location and then posting them on the internet?

If there was a problem with posting these photos on the internet, they surely would not be. This was a non-security jobsite that I choose not to reveal. Typically I don't feel the need to every time I post a thread on any internet forum to name the location. In many cases it unimportant to the story.

Think about it, competitors constantly watch the movement of their competition, hoping to find more freight for themselves. Terrorist and thieves watch movement of trucks,etc in hopes of hijacking them for their own gain. They read forums on the internet such as this and gain information that may be helpful.

So, is it really smart coming on this internet forum and through threads like "September Locations" and divulging your whereabouts or where you delivered and where you're going to load? Just giving a city is enough to aid them. If they know your carrier hauls high value drugs, military hardware, etc, don't you think you are a potential target? It aint no secret what expedite carriers haul. LOL

I like sharing photos of interesting things we do in our trucking business. It would be nice if others on this forum did the same.

With that said, lets not turn this thread ugly!!!

Streakn1 · Sep 28, 2009

moose said:
It's an undisclosed area because they blindfolded him on the way there ...

Hey Moose, no need for a blindfold here. I just drive with my eyes closed! LOL

On the height of the main landing gear in the photo: it's in the fully collapsed position. That makes it 11.5' tall. If loaded onto our 42" high stepdeck it would have made our clearance 15' tall. Since this became an oversized load, the main gear was left behind to be loaded onto a double-drop deck or rgn rather than having to permit us and have to be escorted which is costly.

Another interesting note: when they are scrapping out a jet such as this one, they jack the whole jet up (yellow jack-stands) or lift it with cranes. The gear is unattached and rolled out of the way. Then the aircraft is leterally dropped onto the tarmac to begin distroying it!

arkjarhead · Sep 28, 2009

Streakn1 said:
If there was a problem with posting these photos on the internet, they surely would not be. This was a non-security jobsite that I choose not to reveal. Typically I don't feel the need to every time I post a thread on any internet forum to name the location. In many cases it unimportant to the story.

Think about it, competitors constantly watch the movement of their competition, hoping to find more freight for themselves. Terrorist and thieves watch movement of trucks,etc in hopes of hijacking them for their own gain. They read forums on the internet such as this and gain information that may be helpful.

So, is it really smart coming on this internet forum and through threads like "September Locations" and divulging your whereabouts or where you delivered and where you're going to load? Just giving a city is enough to aid them. If they know your carrier hauls high value drugs, military hardware, etc, don't you think you are a potential target? It aint no secret what expedite carriers haul. LOL

I like sharing photos of interesting things we do in our trucking business. It would be nice if others on this forum did the same.

With that said, lets not turn this thread ugly!!!

I guess I misunderstood what you were trying to say in your first post. I thought it was undisclosed due to the fact that it was hush hush. If you have ever been in a truck stop diner you've heard the stories some drivers tell about going to Area 51 and all this other bs. All I asked was if the loacation had to stay undisclosed due to the customer's wishes would they like those photos being posted on the internet. I like looking at your photos. I also told you upfront I wasn't trying to be a smart ***.

You say you don't want this thread to get ugly and it won't. Don't talk to me like I'm stupid and we'll be cool. You think I don't know anything about terrorist? Do you think I've had my head in the sand since Sept. 10 2001? I better stop before I tell it like it is and go the way of old Doug.

aileron · Sep 28, 2009

When I saw the condition of those landing gears I knew it was no crash. Also, in a real crash that turns the airplane in that heap of scrap, the pieces would be spread on a large area. Another thing I don't see is fire damage.

Thanks for the pictures. I really enjoy all kind of plane pictures.