FedEx Express Flight 087

FedEx Express Flight 087
N581FE, the aircraft involved in the accident, seen in 1997
Accident
Date17 October 1999 (1999-10-17)
SummaryRunway excursion due to blockage of pitot tubes and pilot error
Site
Aircraft
Aircraft typeMcDonnell Douglas MD-11F
Aircraft nameJoshua
OperatorFedEx Express
IATA flight No.FX087
ICAO flight No.FDX087
Call signFEDEX 87
RegistrationN581FE
Flight originShanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai, China
DestinationSubic Bay International Airport, Bataan, Philippines
Occupants2
Crew2
Fatalities0
Injuries2
Survivors2

On 17 October 1999, FedEx Express Flight 087, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F, crashed after landing at Subic Bay International Airport. The aircraft was operating from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Upon landing, the aircraft rolled down the whole length of the runway before plunging into the Subic Bay where it was mostly submerged. Both pilots survived with minor injuries. The aircraft was written off.

The cause of the accident was the pilots failing to respond to false airspeed indications and not selecting the correct airspeed indications. Contributing factors were clogged pitot drain holes and excessive landing speed.