Emirates crash investigation: No ‘engine abnormalities’

An investigation into the crash of an Emirates plane in Dubai last year has found that there were no mechanical issues with the aircraft at the time of the accident.

The crash took place on August 3, 2016 when Emirates EK521, arriving from the Indian city of Thiruvananthapuram, was attempting to land at the Dubai International airport.

All the 300 passengers and crew onboard the Boeing 777-300 aircraft were evacuated, but a firefighter died as a result of the explosion of the center wing fuel tank.

Twenty-one passengers, one flight crew member, and four cabin crew members sustained minor injuries, while four cabin crew members suffered serious injuries.

The aircraft, which saw “substantial” structural damage, was eventually destroyed by fire.

In an interim investigation report issued on Sunday, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said that “analysis of the data downloaded indicates that there were no aircraft systems or engine abnormalities up to the time of the accident”.

A large number of aircraft systems were tested with the assistance of the manufacturers, it said.

“Regarding the operation of the flight, the investigation is working to determine and analyse the human performance factors that influenced flight crew actions during the landing and attempted go-around,” the statement said.

The investigation has also reviewed and identified safety enhancements related to the validity of weather information that was passed to the flight crew, and communication between air traffic control and the flight crew.

“A detailed examination was performed of the aircraft evacuation systems, including the operation of emergency escape slides in a non-normal aircraft resting position, and the effects of wind on the escape slides,” it added.

The investigation into the accident will take two to three years to complete, the director general of the GCAA said in November last year.

The crash was the first major accident in Emirates’ history.

Read more: Investigation into Emirates crash in Dubai to take up to three years