Boeing 747-4B5F accident near Miami, Florida, November 29, 2021
On November 29, 2021 at about 4:57 pm local time, a 2001 Boeing 747-4B5F, registered N705CK, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Miami, Florida (Miami airport). It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Incorrect lubrication of the foreflap fitting assembly.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 29, 2021 · about 4:57 pm local time
- Place
- Miami, Florida · Miami · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Boeing 747-4B5F, built 2001 · all 747-4B5Fs on the register
- Registration
- N705CK · registry record · serial 26413
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight crew reported that upon arrival at KMIA, another flight reported seeing something fly off their airplane. Post-flight inspection revealed damage to the right-hand inboard flaps, fuselage and right horizontal stabilizer. Upon lowering flaps, a section of the trailing edge flap was also missing. Examination of the damaged components revealed that the right inboard foreflap fitting assembly had not been lubricated in accordance with a manufacturer’s service bulletin.
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
- Aircraft structural failure during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure › Leading edge devices › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,039 hours in all; 3,039 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: left
Co-pilot
- Flight time: 1,805 hours in all; 1,805 in this make and model
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Seats: 490
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: P & W PW4056 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: P & W PW4056 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 3: P & W PW4056 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 4: P & W PW4056 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: Kalitta Air LLC
The flight
- Departed from: SCEL Santiago OF at 8:10 am
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.