UPS MD11 at Phoenix on Aug 11th 2021, tail strike on go around

Last Update: July 20, 2022 / 18:51:01 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Aug 11, 2021

Classification
Accident

Airline
UPS

Flight number
5X-2876

Departure
Louisville, United States

Destination
Phoenix, United States

Aircraft Registration
N296UP

Aircraft Type
McDonnell Douglas MD-11

ICAO Type Designator
MD11

Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix

Airport ICAO Code
KPHX

A UPS United Parcel Service McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter, registration N296UP performing flight 5X-2876 from Louisville,KY to Phoenix,AZ (USA), landed on Phoenix Sky Harbor's runway 25L but rejected landing and went around at 17:45L (00:45Z), tower immediately queried whether any assistance was needed, the crew declined. The crew of another aircraft reported to tower the MD-11 just had a tail strike. A runway inspection was initiated, nothing was found on the runway and the runway was returned to service. The MD-11 positioned for another approach to runway 25R and landed without further incident about 10 minutes after the balked landing.

The FAA reported: "AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED A TAIL STRIKE DURING LANDING AT PHOENIX, AZ (PHX)", the damage was minor. The occurrence was rated an incident.

On Sep 15th 2021 the NTSB reported the aircraft sustained substantial damage, rated the occurrence an accident and opened an investigation.

The occurrence aircraft positioned to San Antonio,TX (USA) on Aug 16th 2021, remained on the ground there, and is currently estimated to depart San Antonio to Seattle Boeing Field,WA (USA) later Sep 15th.

On Jul 20th 2022 the NTSB released their final report concluding the probable cause of the accident was:

The flight crew’s incorrect pitch attitude during go-around.

The NTSB analysed:

The airplane experienced a tailstrike during a go-around at Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport (KPHX). The aircraft was substantially damaged, and there were no injuries. The operator and flight crew reported the flight to KPHX was normal. While on approach the crew noted some virga in the area and a wind shift. The crew reported the touchdown appeared normal and the spoilers began deploying. The pilot flying began to apply thrust reversers, and the crew noted the nose pitch up. The flight crew executed a go-around and returned for an uneventful landing. Post-flight inspection revealed damage to the lower aft fuselage. Maintenance examination revealed damage to the aft pressure bulkhead.

Metars:
KPHX 120151Z 06011KT 10SM BKN065 BKN080 BKN110 BKN190 BKN250 31/18 A2988 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NE AND E AND W SLP099 CB DSNT E AND SE-SW AND W SHRA DSNT E AND S AND W T03060183=
KPHX 120051Z 34013G22KT 10SM VCTS BKN065CB BKN080 BKN110 BKN250 32/19 A2987 RMK AO2 WSHFT 0030 LTG DSNT S AND SW SLP095 OCNL LTGIC VC NE TS VC NE MOV E CB DSNT S-SW T03170189=
KPHX 120046Z 34014G22KT 10SM VCTS BKN065CB BKN080 BKN110 BKN250 32/19 A2986 RMK AO2 WSHFT 0030 LTG DSNT S AND SW OCNL LTGIC VC NE TS VC NE MOV E CB DSNT S-SW=
KPHX 120044Z 34014G22KT 10SM VCTS BKN065CB BKN080 BKN110 BKN250 32/19 A2986 RMK AO2 WSHFT 0030 LTG DSNT S AND SW CB VC N MOV E AND DSNT S-SW T03170189=
KPHX 112351Z 21009KT 10SM BKN070 BKN090 BKN110 BKN250 34/18 A2986 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NE AND SW SLP091 CB DSNT N AND S-SW AND NW SHRA VC SW AND DSNT W T03390178 10344 20294 56026=
KPHX 112251Z 00000KT 10SM BKN070 BKN090 BKN110 BKN250 34/19 A2987 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT N SLP094 CB DSNT S-W-N SHRA VC SW-W T03440189=
KPHX 112151Z 00000KT 10SM BKN065 BKN080 BKN250 33/19 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP104 CB DSNT N-NW T03330194=
KPHX 112051Z 08007KT 10SM BKN050 BKN070 BKN250 33/20 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP118 CB DSNT S AND NW T03330200 58026=
KPHX 112012Z 00000KT 10SM BKN045 BKN070 BKN180 BKN250 33/20 A2996 RMK AO2 T03330200=
Aircraft Registration Data
Registration mark
N296UP
Country of Registration
United States
Date of Registration
Gelgkqnlpbcmke Subscribe to unlock
TCDS Ident. No.
Ikqq Subscribe to unlock
Manufacturer
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS
Aircraft Model / Type
MD-11F
Number of Seats
F Subscribe to unlock
ICAO Aircraft Type
MD11
Year of Manufacture
qnk Subscribe to unlock
Serial Number
JnbkA Subscribe to unlock
Aircraft Address / Mode S Code (HEX)
GbAnll Subscribe to unlock
Engine Count
D Subscribe to unlock
Engine Manufacturer
Enc pm Subscribe to unlock
Engine Model
Knnhbnpfhh Subscribe to unlock
Engine Type
KmiAjnhi Subscribe to unlock
Pounds of Thrust
Mjffc Subscribe to unlock
Main Owner
Jlnqpgej jeg gdqkcgkhbnhbnnffkbAkAhccf diedApiippfjqkfnhkApeif pmpdldAdglgpcimpemhAdcjpi Subscribe to unlock
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Aug 11, 2021

Classification
Accident

Airline
UPS

Flight number
5X-2876

Departure
Louisville, United States

Destination
Phoenix, United States

Aircraft Registration
N296UP

Aircraft Type
McDonnell Douglas MD-11

ICAO Type Designator
MD11

Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix

Airport ICAO Code
KPHX

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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