The Harrowing Story of FedEx Flight 705

On April 7, 1994, Federal Express (FedEx) Flight 705 departed from Memphis International Airport (MEM), Tennessee, bound for Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), California. Operated by a McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 freighter, named John Peter Jr., the flight seemed like any other routine cargo operation. The aircraft, registered as N306FE, carried a three-person crew: Captain David G. Sanders, First Officer James M. Tucker Jr., and Flight Engineer Andrew H. Peterson. Accompanying them was Auburn R. Calloway, another FedEx flight engineer, deadheading on this flight.

However, Calloway harbored a deadly plan that would turn this seemingly ordinary flight into a desperate fight for survival.

The Sinister Intentions of Auburn Calloway

Calloway, facing dismissal from FedEx for falsifying his previous flight experience, devised a chilling plan to hijack Flight 705. Armed with hammers and a speargun hidden in a guitar case, he intended to kill the flight crew, crash the aircraft, and make it appear as an accident. His motive? A $2.5 million life insurance payout for his family.

The first phase of Calloway’s plan began before takeoff. He attempted to disable the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) to erase any trace of his actions. However, the CVR was later switched back on, capturing the chaos that would soon ensue.

The Violent Attack at 19,000 Feet

Twenty-six minutes after takeoff, as the aircraft climbed through 19,000 feet, Calloway launched his attack. Using a hammer, he violently assaulted the crew members in an attempt to incapacitate them. Despite sustaining severe injuries, the crew displayed extraordinary courage and resourcefulness.

First Officer Tucker, although gravely injured, maneuvered the aircraft into extreme movements—climbing steeply and rolling—to disorient Calloway. The violent maneuvers threw the hijacker off balance but inflicted further strain on the crew. Peterson, fighting through his injuries, managed to wrestle Calloway for the speargun while Captain Sanders eventually overpowered and subdued him.

A Desperate Landing in Memphis

The crew, now in dire condition, made an emergency return to Memphis International Airport. Despite the urgency, there was no time to dump fuel, leaving the aircraft 16,000 kg over its maximum landing weight. The battered DC-10 sustained damage worth $800,000 (equivalent to $1.7 million today), yet the crew achieved the miraculous—landing safely without any fatalities.

The hijacking left all four occupants seriously injured, but they survived. Calloway was arrested and later sentenced to two life terms for attempted murder and air piracy.

The Legacy of N306FE

The McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30, registration N306FE, continued to serve FedEx for nearly three decades after the hijacking. The aircraft underwent significant modifications between September 2007 and April 2008, converting it to an MD-10 configuration, which eliminated the need for a flight engineer.

In February 2023, after an illustrious career spanning 37.5 years, the aircraft was placed in storage. While its future remains uncertain, its history is forever tied to the extraordinary bravery of the crew aboard Flight 705.

Youssef Yahya

Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators. He also serves as the Chief-in-Editor of the platform’s website, where he shares his passion for aviation and provides valuable resources for aviation enthusiasts and professionals alike. His love for aviation and entrepreneurial spirit drive him to create innovative solutions, making Aviation for Aviators a unique resource in the aviation sector.

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