The document summarizes the history and journey of the DC-10 aircraft named "Nkwazi", meaning African Fish Eagle, from its manufacturing in 1980 until its retirement in 2011. It was originally intended for EgyptAir but was later leased to and operated by Zambia Airways from 1984-1994 on routes between Africa and North America as well as between Zambia and London. In 1996 it was leased to Monarch Airlines and based in Manchester, operating both short and long-haul routes until being retired in 2001. In 2003, Manchester Airport and Monarch Airlines dismantled the aircraft on site and its fuselage was converted into an education center located at the airport to continue "Nkwazi's" legacy.

1. The Tale of Manchester Airports’
“Nkwazi”
1980 – 2011
Steve Clouston
Airfield Technical Planner

2. “ Nkwazi” The African Fish Eagle

3. National Bird of Zambia

4. Zambia Airways DC-10-30
N3016Z
“Nkwazi”

5. Nkwazi’s Early Years
Date of Manufacture: November 1980
Construction Number: 48266
Line Number: 348
First flew 25th November 1980
Originally destined for EgyptAir
Sold to Chemco International Leasing
July 1984 leased to Zambia Airways as N3016Z
Launched North American service linking Lusaka with New York via Monrovia (Liberia) and
later via Dakar (Senegal)
Flew the popular Lusaka to London service initially with stops at Rome and Frankfurt and
later nonstop to Heathrow
Zambia Airways ceased operations and was liquidated in December 1994
Nkwazi sold to Sky Leasing Inc. and languished in storage

6. Monarch Airways
G-DMCA
New Flag and Carrier

7. Nkwazi’s Later Life
March 1996 leased to Monarch Airlines as G-DMCA
Instrumental in launching the airline’s non-stop long-haul programme
Manchester based flew both short and long-haul routes
First flight operated: Gatwick to Alicante 17th March 1996
Largely used as a standby aircraft following arrival of two new A330s in 1999
Last flight operated: Manchester to Orlando Sanford 26th October 2001
Manchester stored with a care and maintenance programme from 9th November 2001
The 23 year old aircraft’s registration cancelled by UK CAA in November 2003

8. A New Life For The Old African Eagle
October 2003 Manchester Airport and Monarch Airways
Sign Agreement

9. Disassembly On Stands 249 and 251
Hydraulic Fluid and 9 Tonnes of Fuel Removed

10. Internal Stripping Out

11. Removal of Control Surfaces

12. Main Gear Removed Following Jacking of Aircraft

13. Three One-Hundred Ton Cranes Lift the 89 Ton Bird Clear

14. Nkwazi’s Final Flight

15. And Touchdown

16. Wings Clipped

17. Sixty Foot Section of Fuselage and Flight Deck Cut

18. Tail Section ‘Chewed’ Through

19. Then Felled

20. Meanwhile…. The Eagle’s Nest Takes Shape

21. All Scrap Bagged

22. Six Weeks Later

23. A Job Well Done

24. The Team

25. Slow and Final Taxi Begins

26. Landside Via Crash Gate 18

27. Into The Viewing Park Not The Hangar

28. Easy Does It

29. The Eagle Has Landed

30. Fitting Out Completed Late Spring 2004

31. Education Centre
Full Audio-Visual System and Seating For Up To 36 ‘Passengers’

32. Fully Equipped Flight Deck

33. “Nkwazi” Lives On