Accident · 2002-06-03

NTSB case DCA02MA039 · McDonnell Douglas MD-11 · Part 121

What the record says

Event date: 2002-06-03
Event type: Accident
Highest injury level: No injuries
Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas MD-11 (N588FE)
Operating rule: Part 121
Operator: FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION Operator named in NTSB report
Operated by (per NTSB report): FEDERAL EXPRESS CORP

Probable cause

The momentary operation of the airplane outside of the airplane's aerodynamic design stall buffet boundary that resulted from the captain's initiation of a Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) escape maneuver. Factor's contributing to the accident were the false readings of both radio altimeters which prompted the false GPWS warning, and the inadequate structural capability of the elevator design to remain intact during momentary operations outside of the stall buffet boundary.

Source: NTSB case DCA02MA039

Flight crew

Flight-crew details for this event aren't in the NTSB database extract we hold (its coverage starts with 2008 events) — a gap in our data, not an absence of crew.

Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.

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