The FedEx fleet of freighters took a blow yesterday when one of the parked cargo jets was grounded by a sudden nose gear collapse as it sat parked at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).

The large Airbus A300-600 was not in operation at the time, and preliminary investigation has not revealed details regarding the cause of its unprovoked mechanical failure. 

Of the 473 aircraft in the FedEx fleet, the A300s are crucial workhorses on the short- to medium-haul routes vital for regional transport and e-commerce.

The jet in question is registered as N682FE, dubbed 'Gabrial' by the carrier, and is just under 27 years old with no other mishaps in its history, as data on Planespotters.net shows. 

A Rough Day At BWI 

The aircraft was reportedly undergoing maintenance outside a hangar at the time the front strut gave way. Emergency medical and fire response teams were dispatched to the jet as a precaution.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors are expected to begin an assessment to determine the cause of the collapse.

The incident comes just two months after the tragic crash of a UPS McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter, which claimed the lives of 14 people and led to the grounding of the entire MD-11 fleet operated by both UPS and FedEx.

However, in recent history, the last mishap involving a FedEx A300-600F was a tail strike at Louisville International Airport (SDF) in late 2024, as AeroInside covered. 

Overall, these jets have proven to be reliable and rugged workhorses for the cargo service. They are, however, now entering an advanced age requiring more intensive maintenance.

Fortunately, this incident occurred on the ground with no injuries, and should the investigation reveal more than just an isolated issue, FedEx has the opportunity to take preemptive measures to prevent another case.

FedEx is primarily replacing the aging Airbus A300-600 fleet with the Boeing 767-300F, which has become the airline's standard for medium-to-high volume regional and domestic routes. It offers approximately 20% better fuel efficiency and lower maintenance costs.

FedEx is currently the world's largest operator of the 767F, with over 150 aircraft in service and more scheduled for delivery through 2026.

Source: Simple Flying