Skip to content
KnownTail
Aircraft record

N486FE1978 Boeing 727-227

DeregisteredUnclaimedSource: FAA, updated Oct 16, 2026

This N-number isn't registered right now. Below is its last known registration, canceled Oct 12, 2012.

Safety record in brief:No NTSB accidents or incidents since 198264 ADs may apply179 service difficulty reports

Registration
Deregistered
Last based in
Memphis, TN
owner city / state
Owners
1
since 1990
NTSB events
None
since 1982
ADs may apply
64
confirm with A&P
Service reports
179
since 1995

Registration

FAA Aircraft Registry · Oct 16, 2026
Last registered owner
Federal Express Corporation
Owner type
Corporation
City, state
Memphis, TN
Certificate issued
Jul 30, 1990
Canceled
Oct 12, 2012
Airworthiness
Standard · Transport
Airworthiness date
Sep 25, 1978

We never show street addresses, even though they appear in the public FAA file. Individual owners are shown by city and state only.

Airframe & engine

FAA Registry + type data

Airframe

Manufacturer
Boeing
Model
727-227
Year
1978
Serial number
21489
Aircraft type
Fixed wing multi engine
Category
Land
Certification
Type Certificated
Seats
134
Engines
3
Max takeoff weight
20,000 and over lb
Mode S code
A5FF65

Engine

Make and model
P & W Jt8d-9 Ser
Type
Turbo-jet
Power
14,500 lb thrust

Total time and engine hours aren't public. They appear here once the owner adds logbooks.

Ownership history

Ownership history from FAA records
  1. 1990 – 2012Federal Express CorporationMemphis, TN

Individual owners are shown by city and state only.

Safety record

NTSB · Oct 15, 2026 · FAA ADs · Oct 16, 2026 · SDRs · Oct 16, 2026

NTSB events (0)

No NTSB accidents or incidents found for this airframe since 1982.

ADs published since 1998 that may apply (64)

These match the airframe or engine model. Whether each one applies, and whether it's been complied with, depends on serial numbers, equipment and logbook entries. Applicability must be confirmed by a mechanic against the aircraft's records.

ADSubjectEffectiveApplies to
2023-12-15NavigationJun 21, 2023Airframe (727-227)
2022-25-01WingsFeb 16, 2023Airframe (727-227)
2021-03-09WingsMar 31, 2021Airframe (727-227)
2019-23-04FuelFeb 4, 2020Airframe (727-227)Only with: Equipped with Boeing body-mounted auxiliary fuel tanks.
2019-24-18NavigationFeb 3, 2020Airframe (727-227)Serial numbers per Boeing Alert Service Bulletins 727-34A0247 Rev 1, 757-34A0611 Rev 1, and 767-34A0828. Only with: 727 airplanes with variable numbers QB065, QD191, QD192, QD402, QD403, QD407, and QD410 are excluded.
Show all 64 ADs
ADSubjectEffectiveApplies to
2018-25-15WingsJan 22, 2019Airframe (727-227)
2017-19-02DoorsOct 19, 2017Airframe (727-227)Only with: Equipped with a main cargo door (MCD).
2014-04-09WingsMay 2, 2014Airframe (727-227)
2013-24-15FuelJan 8, 2014Airframe (727-227)
2013-21-07StabilizersDec 5, 2013Airframe (727-227)Serial numbers per Boeing Service Bulletin 55-46, dated April 8, 1970 (Group III and Group IV). Only with: Airplanes identified as Group III and Group IV in Boeing Service Bulletin 55-46.
2013-22-03FuelDec 5, 2013Airframe (727-227)
2013-19-08Stall Warning SystemNov 6, 2013Airframe (727-227)Serial numbers per Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletins 727-34-0245, 737-34-2102, and 747-34-2925
2013-16-17WingsSep 27, 2013Airframe (727-227)
2013-15-11StabilizersSep 20, 2013Airframe (727-227)
2013-15-15FuselageSep 20, 2013Airframe (727-227)Serial numbers per Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-53-0234, dated January 17, 2013
2013-14-02WingsAug 26, 2013Airframe (727-227)
2013-14-03StabilizersAug 26, 2013Airframe (727-227)
2011-12-05The Boeing Company Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F Series…Jul 15, 2011Airframe (727-227)
2011-01-05The Boeing Company Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F Series…Feb 14, 2011Airframe (727-227)
2008-04-10 R1The Boeing Company Model 727 AirplanesDec 30, 2009Airframe (727-227)
2009-20-08Boeing Model 727 AirplanesNov 5, 2009Airframe (727-227)
2009-20-03Boeing Model 727 AirplanesNov 3, 2009Airframe (727-227)
2008-22-12Boeing Model 727 AirplanesDec 17, 2008Airframe (727-227)
2008-11-09Boeing Model 727 AirplanesJul 3, 2008Airframe (727-227)
2008-02-13Boeing Model 727 AirplanesFeb 28, 2008Airframe (727-227)
2007-21-04Boeing Model 727 AirplanesNov 16, 2007Airframe (727-227)
2007-12-14Boeing Model 727 AirplanesJul 16, 2007Airframe (727-227)
2006-13-16Boeing Model 727 AirplanesAug 1, 2006Airframe (727-227)Serial numbers per Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-27-0234, dated November 10, 2005
2006-09-03Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, and 727-100C Series AirplanesMay 31, 2006Airframe (727-227)
2005-23-07Boeing Model 727 AirplanesDec 13, 2005Airframe (727-227)
2005-20-33Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, and 727-100C Series AirplanesNov 16, 2005Airframe (727-227)Certain serial numbers: 1–694. Only with: Line numbers 1 through 694 inclusive.
2005-20-13Boeing Model 727 AirplanesNov 9, 2005Airframe (727-227)
2005-19-24Boeing Model 727 Series AirplanesOct 27, 2005Airframe (727-227)
2005-16-07Boeing Model 727 AirplanesSep 13, 2005Airframe (727-227)
2005-14-07Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F Series AirplanesAug 15, 2005Airframe (727-227)Serial numbers per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-57A0135, Revision 3, dated June 27, 2002
2005-13-40Boeing Model 727 Airplanes, Equipped With an Auxiliary Fuel Tank Having a Fuel Pump…Aug 4, 2005Airframe (727-227)Only with: Equipped with an auxiliary fuel tank having a fuel pump installed.
2004-09-36Boeing Model 727 Series AirplanesJun 15, 2004Airframe (727-227)
2004-03-30Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, and 727-100C Series AirplanesMar 24, 2004Airframe (727-227)Serial numbers per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0225, dated September 11, 2003
2004-03-31Boeing Model 727, 727-100C, 727-200F, and 727C Series AirplanesMar 24, 2004Airframe (727-227)Serial numbers per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0226, dated September 11, 2003
2003-03-15 R1Various Boeing and McDonnell Douglas Transport Category AirplanesDec 22, 2003Airframe (727-227)
2003-11-03Boeing Model 727, 737-100, 737-200, and 737-200C Series AirplanesJul 3, 2003Airframe (727-227)Certain serial numbers: 727 L/N 1–L/N 1832; 737-100 L/N 1–L/N 1033; 737-200 L/N 1–L/N 1033; 737-200C L/N 1–L/N 1033. Only with: Applicability limited by line numbers rather than serial numbers.
2003-03-15Various Boeing and McDonnell Douglas Transport Category AirplanesMar 7, 2003Airframe (727-227)
2002-24-05Boeing Model 727 Series AirplanesDec 18, 2002Airframe (727-227)Certain serial numbers: 1–1832
2002-17-05Boeing Model 727 Series AirplanesSep 16, 2002Airframe (727-227)
2002-16-19Boeing Model 727 Series Airplanes Modified in Accordance With Supplemental Type…Sep 19, 2002Airframe (727-227)Only with: Converted from passenger to cargo-carrying (freighter) configuration in accordance with STC SA1767SO or SA1768SO.
2002-16-20Boeing Model 727 Series Airplanes Modified in Accordance With Supplemental Type…Sep 19, 2002Airframe (727-227)Only with: Airplanes converted from passenger to cargo (freighter) configuration in accordance with STC SA1368SO, SA1797SO, or SA1798SO.
2002-16-21Boeing Model 727 Series Airplanes Modified in Accordance with Supplemental Type…Sep 19, 2002Airframe (727-227)Only with: Converted from passenger to cargo-carrying (freighter) configuration in accordance with STC ST00015AT.
2002-16-22Boeing Model 727 Series Airplanes Modified in Accordance With Supplemental Type…Sep 19, 2002Airframe (727-227)Only with: Converted from passenger to cargo-carrying (freighter) configuration in accordance with STC SA1444SO, SA1509SO, SA1543SO, or SA1896SO.
2002-12-13Boeing Model 727 Series AirplanesJul 31, 2002Airframe (727-227)
2001-22-12Boeing Model 727 Series AirplanesNov 15, 2001Airframe (727-227)
2001-20-09Boeing Model 727 Series AirplanesNov 15, 2001Airframe (727-227)
2000-14-07Boeing Model 727 Series AirplanesAug 17, 2000Airframe (727-227)Certain serial numbers: 727 858–864; 727 867–869; 727 872–883; 727 885–1832. Only with: Limited by line numbers rather than serial numbers.
90-15-12 R1Boeing Model 727 Series Airplanes Modified in Accordance with Valsan Supplemental Type…Aug 15, 2000Airframe (727-227)Only with: Modified by installation of Pratt and Whitney JT8D-217C or -219 engines in accordance with Valsan STC SA4363NM.
2000-02-19Boeing Model 727 Series AirplanesMar 9, 2000Airframe (727-227)Serial numbers per Boeing Service Bulletin 727-57-0177, dated December 22, 1988
99-20-10Boeing Model 727 Series AirplanesNov 8, 1999Airframe (727-227)Certain serial numbers: 124; 126; 130; 146; 221; 287; …. Only with: Applies to airplanes with the listed line numbers (not serial numbers).
99-04-22Boeing Model 727, 727-100, 727-200, 727C, 727-100C, and 727-200F Series AirplanesMar 4, 1999Airframe (727-227)
98-26-18Boeing Model 727 Series Airplanes Modified in Accordance With Supplemental Type…Feb 16, 1999Airframe (727-227)Only with: Converted from passenger to cargo-carrying (freighter) configuration in accordance with STC SA1767SO, SA1768SO, or SA7447SW.
98-26-19Boeing Model 727 Series Airplanes Modified in Accordance With Supplemental Type…Feb 16, 1999Airframe (727-227)Only with: Converted from passenger to cargo-carrying (freighter) configuration in accordance with STC SA1368SO, SA1797SO, or SA1798SO.
98-26-20Boeing Model 727 Series Airplanes Modified in Accordance With Supplemental Type…Feb 16, 1999Airframe (727-227)Only with: Converted from passenger to cargo-carrying (freighter) configuration in accordance with STC ST00015AT.
98-26-21Boeing Model 727 Series Airplanes Modified in Accordance With Supplemental Type…Feb 16, 1999Airframe (727-227)Only with: Converted from passenger to cargo-carrying (freighter) configuration in accordance with STC SA1444SO, SA1509SO, SA1543SO, SA1896SO, SA1740SO, or SA1667SO.
98-11-03 R1Boeing Model 727 Series AirplanesJun 23, 1998Airframe (727-227)
98-23-51Boeing Model 727 Series AirplanesDec 14, 1998Airframe (727-227)Certain serial numbers: 727 1–849. Only with: Line positions 1 through 849 inclusive that have been converted from passenger to cargo (freighter) or passenger-and-cargo (combi) configuration.
98-18-20Boeing Model 727 and Model 737 Series Airplanes Equipped with J.C. Carter Company Fuel…Oct 21, 1998Airframe (727-227)Only with: Equipped with J.C. Carter Company fuel valve actuators P/N 40574-2 (Kearfott Models 3715-7 and -8) or 40574-5 (Kearfott Model 3715-9).
98-11-03Boeing Model 727 Series AirplanesJun 23, 1998Airframe (727-227)

AI-extracted — verify against original. Matched from each AD's applicability section; ADs replaced by a later AD are left out.

Service Difficulty Reports (179)

Reports of failures and defects that operators and repair stations sent to the FAA since 1995. A report describes one finding; it is not an accident.

  • Lights · battery pack · inoperativeApr 25, 2012

    DURING SERVICE CHECK, FOUND EXTERIOR EMERGENCY EVACUATION SLIDE LIGHT INOPERATIVE. REMOVED & REPLACED EMERGENCY ESCAPE SLIDE LIGHT BATTERY PACK ASSY. IAW MM 33-50-051-2-0. OPS CHECKED NORMAL.

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.
  • Lights · light · inoperativeDec 4, 2011

    EMERGENCY EXIT LIGHTS ABOVE COCKPIT DOOR INOPERATIVE. R & R PORTABLE EMERGENCY LIGHT ABOVE COCKPIT DOOR. OPS CHECKED GOOD REF MM 33-50-101-2-0. ACFT OK FOR FLT.

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.
  • Air conditioning and pressurization · unknown · odorNov 18, 2011

    SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF DETECTED A BURNING ODOR WHICH DECREASED BUT PERSISTED. NO VISIBLE SMOKE OR FIRE INDICATIONS. DONNED MASKS AND RETURNED TO AIRPORT. RAN ALL 3 ENGINES IAW JRH AT BOTH GROUND AND APPROACH IDLE. ISOLATED EACH PACK WITH EACH ENGINE AT BOTH POWER SETTINGS. NOTICED NO ODD OR FOUL…

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.
Show all 10 reports
  • Landing gear · landing gear · lack of lubeJun 28, 2011

    RED GEAR LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINED UPON GEAR RETRACTION. COMPLIED WITH QRH AND RETURNED TO DEPARTURE. NOTE 15' OF RT AILERON REG FOR LEVEL FLIGHT. NO FUEL DUMPED INSPECTED ACFT BOTH MAIN GEAR AND DOORS NO DAMAGE NOTED. JACKED ACFT IAW MM 07-11-000-2. PERFORMED MULTIPLE GEAR SWINGS WITH ALL…

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.
  • Landing gear · seal · failedJan 10, 2011

    AFTER GEAR RETRACTION, RED GEAR DOOR LT ON FRONT PANEL WITH NOSE GEAR DOOR LT ON F/E PANEL REMAINED ILLUM. COMPLIED WITH QRH. RECYCLED GEAR NO HELP. RTN TO DEPARTURE. FOUND BULB SEAL ON FWD EDGE OF NOSE WHELL TORN AND FULL OF ICE. BULB WAS SOLID. R & R BULB SEAL, OPS CHECK GOOD ON RETRACTION. AMM…

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.
  • Lights · battery pack · failedAug 11, 2010

    EMERGENCY EXIT LIGHT BY L-1 DOOR IS INOP. R & R EMERGENCY EXIT LIGHT BATTERY PACK (MM 33-50-101-2). OPS CHECKED GOOD. OK TO CONTINUE. PREMATURE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.
  • Lights · light · failedAug 5, 2010

    CLOSE RT ENTRY DOOR EMERGENCY EXIT LIGHT INOP. R & R SAME IAW MM 33-50-101-2-0. OPS CHECK GOOD, ACFT GOOD FOR CONT SERVICE.

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.
  • Fire protection · smoke detector · inoperativeAug 3, 2010

    LOWER AFT CARGO SMOKE INDICATION AFTER T/O. DISCH BOTTLE 1 AND FOLLOWED QRH PROCEDURES AND LANDED. AFTER INITIAL INDICATION. ALARM SOUNDED 2 MORE TIMES BEFORE LANDING. RELEASED FOR SERVICE PER MEL: 26-19-C. AFTER BLOCK IN FIRE DEPT CHECKED VISUALLY AND WITH THERMAL GUN, FOUND NO INDICATION OF…

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.
  • Flight controls · actuator · malfunctionedAug 3, 2010

    DURING FLAP RETRACTION AMBER L/E FLAP REMAINED ILLUMINATED AT FLAPS 2DEG POSITION. S/O PANEL VERIFIED NR 5 SLAT REMAINED EXTENDED ROLLING MOMENT FELT IN YOKE. RAN QRH NO HELP. LANDED NORMAL MEM NO DUMP REQUIRED. REMOVED AND REPLACED NR 5 LEADING EDGE FLAP PANEL PER AMM 27-81-001-4,OPS CHECK AND…

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.
  • Fuselage · frame · crackedJul 6, 2010

    FWD PIT - FRAME UPPER FLANGE HAS DENT AT BS 520 BETWEEN STRINGERS 24L AND 23L. CUT- OUT DAMAGED AREA DIM 1" X .5" IAW SRM 51-10-1, FABRICATED DOUBLER FROM 7075 0 .063" DIM 7" X 4.5" IAW SRM 51-40-3 FIG 1 & INSTALLED REPAIR DOUBLER IAW SRM 51-40-3 FIG 1 REV 103.

    From FAA Service Difficulty Reports; matched by N-number and serial number.

Showing the 10 most recent of 179 reports.

Sources

  • FAA Aircraft RegistryRegistration, owner city and state, airframe, engineupdated Oct 16, 2026
  • NTSB accident and incident databaseAccidents and incidents since 1982updated Oct 15, 2026
  • FAA Airworthiness Directives (Federal Register)ADs published since 1998updated Oct 16, 2026
  • FAA Service Difficulty ReportsReports since 1995updated Oct 16, 2026

Request owner name removalReport an error in this record