Mcdonnell Douglas MD-11F accident near Phoenix, Arizona, August 12, 2021
On August 12, 2021 at about 2:56 am local time, a 1991 Mcdonnell Douglas MD-11F, registered N296UP, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (aborted after touchdown) near Phoenix, Arizona (Phoenix Sky Harbor airport). It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flight crew’s incorrect pitch attitude during go-around.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 12, 2021 · about 2:56 am local time
- Place
- Phoenix, Arizona · Phoenix Sky Harbor · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mcdonnell Douglas MD-11F, built 1991 · all MD-11Fs on the register
- Registration
- N296UP · no longer on the register · serial 48474
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Tailstrike during landing (aborted after touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Flight crew
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 9,559 hours in all; 7,948 in this make and model; 114 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days; 6,120 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 11, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: airship
- Flight time: 507 hours in all; 507 in this make and model; 117 in the last 90 days; 28 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: September 30, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 86,309 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, July 18, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 630,500 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: P&W PW4460 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: P&W PW4460 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 3: P&W PW4460 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: United Parcel Service CO
The flight
- Departed from: KSDF Louisville KY at 9:29 pm
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 25L, 7,800 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 340° at 13 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 5:51 pm from KPHX
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number DCA21LA210.