403 UPS MD-11 Crash Analysis + Dr. Catherine Cavagnaro on How to Make Better Landings

In this episode of Aviation News Talk, we begin with the developing details surrounding the crash of UPS Airlines Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F cargo aircraft that crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville, Kentucky. The aircraft, tail number N259UP, was a 34-year-old MD-11F powered by three General Electric CF6-80 engines.

Bystander video shows the left engine separated from the wing, with the wing engulfed in flames as the aircraft lifted off. ADS-B data indicates the aircraft climbed less than 100 feet before beginning a descending, left-turning roll from which it did not recover. The crew had already passed V1, meaning they were committed to takeoff and did not have adequate runway remaining to stop. In situations like this, flight crews may have no survivable option, and this accident may represent one of those rare but tragic scenarios.

We also compare aspects of this event to American Airlines Flight 191, the 1979 DC-10 crash at Chicago O'Hare. While both accidents involved the loss of the left engine on takeoff, the failure chain in AA191 involved slat retraction due to damaged hydraulic and control lines—failure modes later addressed in the MD-11 design. The MD-11's slats are hydraulically locked to prevent unintended retraction, meaning the probable cause of this accident must differ in critical ways.

After the accident analysis, we shift to a practical, pilot-focused conversation about landings with returning guest Dr. Catherine Cavagnaro, columnist for AOPA and highly respected flight instructor and DPE. Drawing on more than a thousand check rides, Catherine explains that the most consistent problem she sees is pilots flying final approach too fast. While pilots often worry about being too slow, the data shows that excessive approach speed is far more common and contributes to long landing rolls, excessive float, bounced landings, and pilot-induced oscillations.

Catherine and Max discuss how a correct approach speed provides the right amount of energy to land smoothly and in control. More power and speed make it harder to manage the flare and to touch down where intended. Pilots also frequently fail to align the aircraft longitudinal axis with the runway before touchdown, particularly in crosswinds, due to hesitation in applying sufficient rudder and aileron. Catherine explains that as the aircraft slows, flight controls become less effective, so pilots should expect to use more control input in the final seconds before touchdown—not less.

The conversation also explores landing accuracy, noting that pilots should strive to touch down within 200–400 feet of a target point—not "somewhere down the runway." Even on long runways, building accuracy pays dividends when landing at shorter fields or during check rides.

A useful data tool Catherine recommends is FlySto (flysto.net), which allows pilots with modern avionics to upload flight data and analyze approach speed, pitch attitude, touchdown point, crab angle, rollout direction, and braking forces. By reviewing objective data, pilots can identify habits and improve their consistency over time.

Whether you're teaching new pilots, returning to flying after a break, or simply want your landings to be more stable and predictable, Catherine's techniques offer actionable steps: choose the correct approach speed, use proper crosswind controls, flare to a nose-high attitude, and maintain precision with touchdown point selection.

Together, the accident analysis and the landing discussion reinforce a core theme of this show: aviation skills improve with deliberate practice, continuous learning, and a deep respect for the realities of risk, energy management, and aircraft control.

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