ASN Aircraft accident McDonnell Douglas DC-8-71F N748UP Philadelphia International Airport, PA (PHL)
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Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Wednesday 8 February 2006
Time:00:01
Type:Silhouette image of generic DC87 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
McDonnell Douglas DC-8-71F
Operator:United Parcel Service - UPS
Registration: N748UP
MSN: 45948/321
First flight: 1967
Engines: 4 CFMI CFM56-2C
Crew:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Passengers:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Total:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Aircraft damage: Destroyed
Aircraft fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:Philadelphia International Airport, PA (PHL) (   United States of America)
Crash site elevation: 11 m (36 feet) amsl
Phase: Approach (APR)
Nature:Cargo
Departure airport:Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, GA (ATL/KATL), United States of America
Destination airport:Philadelphia International Airport, PA (PHL/KPHL), United States of America
Flightnumber:1307
Narrative:
UPS flight 1307, a regular night-time package flight from Atlanta (ATL) to Philadelphia (PHL), departed Atlanta at 22:42 EST. Just after receiving clearance to land at runway 27R, the DC-8 crew reported that they had a smoke warning light come on: "Cleared to land, and ah listen we just got a cargo smoke indicator come on can we have the equipment?". The Tower controller replied: "Okay, I'll do that ..the cargo smoke indicator....ah... souls on board and amount of fuel Sir?" UPS1307 reported three souls on board and two hours worth of fuel. About a minute later the controller cleared the fight to land at runway 27L, which is 1006 feet (308 m) longer than runway 27R. The crew confirms the clearance, but continues their approach to 27R. The tower controller notices this and queries: "..1307 Heavy just confirming that your are lined up to the left side and it appears you are lined up to the right." UPS1307 replies: "I am sorry I thought we were cleared for the right..uh.. are we cleared to land on the right?" The tower controller then clears them to land on 27R and informs the fire department about this. Smoke was coming from the aircraft as it landed. The crew evacuated and the fire services started fighting the fire. The blaze was reported under control by about 04:00.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was an in-flight cargo fire that initiated from an unknown source, which was most likely located within cargo container 12, 13, or 14. Contributing to the loss of the aircraft were inadequate certification test requirements for smoke and fire detection systems and the lack of an on-board fire suppression system. "

Accident investigation:

cover
Investigating agency: NTSB
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 1 year and 10 months
Accident number: NTSB AAR-07-07
Download report: Final report

Classification:
Litium battery thermal event
Cargo fire/smoke
Forced landing on runway

Sources:
» FAA


Follow-up / safety actions

NTSB issued 20 Safety Recommendations

Show all...

Photos

photo of DC-8-71F-N748UP
accident date: 08-02-2006
type: McDonnell Douglas DC-8-71F
registration: N748UP
photo of DC-8-71F-N748UP
accident date: 08-02-2006
type: McDonnell Douglas DC-8-71F
registration: N748UP
photo of DC-8-71F-N748UP
accident date: 08-02-2006
type: McDonnell Douglas DC-8-71F
registration: N748UP
photo of DC-8-71F-N748UP
accident date: 08-02-2006
type: McDonnell Douglas DC-8-71F
registration: N748UP
 

Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, GA to Philadelphia International Airport, PA as the crow flies is 1064 km (665 miles).

This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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DC-8

  • 556 built
  • 83rd loss
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