Emirati investigators say a UPS cargo plane that crashed in Dubai shortly after takeoff Friday had smoke in the cockpit and was struggling to maintain altitude before the accident.
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority said in a preliminary report Sunday the Boeing 747-400’s crew was trying to return to Dubai;s main airport when the accident occurred.
It says the plane was too high on the approach and passed over the airfield before making a right turn. It rapidly lost altitude before crashing in an unpopulated area about 50 minutes after takeoff.
The GCAA says a US National Transportation Safety Board team is scheduled to arrive Sunday to help with the probe.
The two American pilots who died in the UPS cargo plane crash in Dubai on Friday night are identified as Captain Doug Lampe of Louisville, Kentucky, and First Officer Matthew Bell of Sanford, Florida.
The two deceased pilots were flying a 747-400 en route to Cologne, Germany, when it crashed near Dubai International Airport.
"This is a terrible tragedy, and all of us at UPS extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of both of these crewmembers," said UPS CEO Scott Davis.
"Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with them during this difficult time." The UPS Family Assistance Team is working with the victims' families to help them in their time of need.
Captain Lampe, 48, has been with UPS since 1995. First Officer Bell, 38, has been with UPS since 2006.
Both crewmembers flew out of UPS's Anchorage, Alaska domicile, or pilot base, UPS said.
According to UPS, the aircraft, tail number N571UP, was just three years old, entering UPS service off the Boeing production line in September 2007.
The airframe had flown 9,977 hours, completing 1,764 takeoffs and landings. It was up to date on all maintenance, having just completed a major inspection in June 2010.
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