Emery Crash at Mather AFB

An Emery Worldwide cargo plane crashed into an auto salvage yard after taking off from a Sacramento-area airport, killing all three crew members aboard.  The crash of the DC-8 transport service plane created a spectacular series of explosions as more than 100 cars burst into flames.  The plane took off from the former Mather Air Force Base at 7:52 p.m. 17 Feb, 2000 bound for Dayton, Ohio.

Shortly after takeoff, the pilot called the airfield's departure control and reported a problem.  "Right before the crash, the pilot said the plane had a center of gravity problem".   There was some kind of imbalance and he was having problems controlling the aircraft. On a plane like this, you load the cargo so the weight is distributed.   Capt. Dan Haverty of the American River Fire Department said the pilot informed departure control that he had a problem with "unsettled cargo."  The plane was carrying automatic transmission fluid, clothing and small amounts of "detonating explosives," Haverty said (Corwin & Warren, 2014). 

The post-crash investigation actually found that a maintenance issue was the cause of the crash.  The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of the accident was a loss of pitch control resulting from the disconnection of the right elevator control tab. The disconnection was caused by the failure to properly secure and inspect the attachment bolt (fss.aero, 2014).

Corwin, M & Warren, J. (2014). Cargo plane crashes outside Sacramento, killing 3. Retrieved from: http://articles.latimes.com/2000/feb/17/news/mn-65402

fss.aero. (2014). Loss of Pitch Control on Takeoff, Emery Worldwide Airlines, Flight 17, McDonnell Douglas DC-8-71F, N8079U, Rancho Cordova, California, February 16, 2000. Retrieved from: http://www.fss.aero/accident-reports/look.php?report_key=25