N603AX

This airframe, registered as N603AX, is a McDonnell Douglas widebody built in 1987 with manufacturer serial number 48267. It is a long-range extended-range variant listed as a McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30(ER) and is recorded on the U.S. registry (US). Ownership is held by BC AIRCRAFT LEASING LLC of Albuquerque, NM, US, a leasing entity noted in the registration, and the airframe has been adapted from its original transport role into a specialized mission configuration. The aircraft's recorded condition and configuration reflect a conversion from passenger accommodation to an aerial firefighting role, which has altered typical valuation and operational considerations for the airframe.

The cabin of this specific DC-10 has been converted to an aerial firefighting configuration with a retardant tank; passenger accommodation has been removed to make way for mission equipment and systems. Typical mission profiles for this conversion emphasize low- to medium-altitude retardant drops and ferry flights to staging bases, rather than scheduled passenger routes; the aircraft retains its long-range capability for repositioning at sea or across continents. Operator support and maintenance considerations are dominated by fire-mission systems, structural adaptations for tank installation, and continued airframe and engine maintenance suitable for high-cycle, heavy-load operations. The aircraft remains registered to a leasing company based in Albuquerque, NM, US, which informs its home-base administrative and logistical support footprint.

The McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30(ER) family fills a large, long-range, medium-to-high-capacity transport niche, capable of transcontinental and intercontinental sectors while also being adaptable to special-mission roles such as aerial firefighting. Competing types historically included other tri-jets and early-generation widebodies with similar range and payload, but the DC-10’s distinctive three-engine layout and robust fuselage have led to aftermarket conversions. Market demand for converted large freighters and special-mission platforms supports continued use, though maintenance, parts support, and resale considerations are affected by age, conversion status, and the specialized mission equipment installed on this airframe.