On November 14, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the US civil aviation authority, issued a new emergency airworthiness directive expanding flight restrictions for MD-11 aircraft to include MD-10s and DC-10s. The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, an MD-10, falls within this directive. The original directive applying only to MD-11s was issued on November 8.
The directives follow the November 4 accident involving a UPS MD-11 aircraft. The FAA continues to investigate and has cited structural similarities among these aircraft types as the basis for its latest action. We extend our deepest condolences to those affected by the recent accident.
Orbis has been monitoring the situation closely and is in full compliance with the FAA directive. Our Flying Eye Hospital completed its final 2025 project in late October and is currently in Tulsa, Oklahoma, undergoing routine maintenance. No training or patient care activities are impacted at this time.
We will continue to follow all FAA guidance as the investigation progresses and will respond promptly to any additional requirements. Safety remains at the heart of everything we do.
Photo: Flying Eye Hospital in Vietnam in 2019
