History: Emirates Flight 521

Emirates Flight 521 was a regular passenger flight between Trivandrum International Airport, India and Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates operated by Emirates airline. On 3 August 2016 at around 12:45 PM, the aircraft performing the flight,a Boeing 777-300 aircraft (registration A6-EMW) crash landed upon arrival at Dubai International Airport. According to initial reports the aircraft's landing gear was either retracted while landing or collapsed, one of the engines separated and the aircraft burst into flames. All 282 passengers and 18 crew survived the accident, however one firefighter died during the rescue.

Aircraft

The aircraft involved was a Boeing 777-300 registered A6-EMW delivered new to Emirates on 7 March 2003. It had serial number 434 and it was equipped with two Rolls-Royce Trent 892 engines.

Accident

The flight departed from Trivandrum International Airport in India and was uneventful right until the landing when the crew reported to ATC that they were going around. Tower acknowledged and instructed the crew to climb to 4,000 feet. The crew also acknowledged this instruction but shorty after the aircraft lost height and crash landed. According to eyewitness reports the landing gear was retracted during the failed go around attempt. Immediately the tower instructed the next incoming flight to go around and alerted the emergency services at the airport.

The crash landing occurred at 12:44 Gulf Standard Time (08:44 UTC). At this time wind shear was reported at the airport and temperatures were in excess of 40 degrees Celsius. According to footage released to social media the aircraft skidded along runway 12L impacting the tarmac with its right wing. The right engine (number 2) separated from the wing and on the right side of the aircraft there was a small explosion followed by a fire. The aircraft landed on its belly which suggests that the landing gear either collapsed either was not released either was retracted during the go around attempt. This is still unclear and will be established by the accident investigation report. The aircraft was completely destroyed by the fire.

This is the first time that an aircraft operated by Emirates is damaged beyond repair. It's also the sixth Boeing 777 hull loss.

Metars

Evacuation and fire

The crew performed an emergency evacuation via slides immediately after the aircraft stopped. Fire engines promptly deployed and started extinguishing the fire. During the rescue efforts one firefighter lost his life.

Passengers and crew

According to Emirates tweet ^source there were 282 passengers and 18 crew on the airplane. Everyone was accounted for after the accident so there were no fatalities.

Investigation

The accident is being investigated by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) which is responsible for the investigation of the civil aviation accidents in the United Arab Emirates. As usual in accidents involving a Boeing airplane the GCAA will be assisted by the NTSB and a team from Boeing.

Conclusions

Aftermath

Dubai International Airport was closed immediately after the incident resulting in delays and diversions of incoming flights. Emirates announced that is expecting a 4 to 8 hour network wide delay.

Further reading

Emirates
Aircraft disasters
List of Boeing 777 hull losses
Crash landing