Fact is, even before these two latest hull losses, the accident rate of the MD-11 (pax and freight combined) was inferior to all models of the 737. The statistical accident rate comparison prepared by Boeing, which takes into account the number of departures made by each aircraft type worldwide between 1959 and 2008, shows that the hull loss accident rate of the MD-11 up to 2008 was:
- twice the rate of the 737-100/200
- 5 times the rate of the 737-300/400/500
.. and about a hundred times the rate of the newest 737 models.
See pdf page 22 here:
http://www.boeing.com/news/techissues/pdf/statsum.pdf
.. but of course there will always be those who donīt appreciate statistics, whoever prepared them, Boeing or not.