How The McDonnell Douglas MD-11's 3-Engine Design Created Handling Problems That Ended Its Passenger Career

When the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 entered airline service in 1990, it appeared to be a logical evolution of one of aviation's most successful widebody aircraft. Developed from the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, the MD-11 promised greater range, lower operating costs, advanced avionics, and improved efficiency. McDonnell Douglas envisioned the aircraft as a long-term competitor to emerging twin-engine widebodies from Boeing and Airbus, while retaining the distinctive three-engine configuration that had defined the DC-10.