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So here's my best guess at what happened. Despite reports of wind shear from previous flights, Narita Approach gave the FedEx flight clearance to land on Runway A (either 16R or 34L) because it was the only runway long enough and because the recorded winds were within limits for the MD-11. Remember strong winds don't automatically mean too dangerous to land. The experience FedEx pilots made the appropriate approach, crabbing sideways to counter the crosswind, but found themselves a little high off the deck, probably because of wind shear, when they reached their intended touch down point. Like many cargo pilots who don't have to worry about passenger comfort do in such a situation, they decided to stick the landing by forcing the plane down hard instead of using more runway to flare before touchdown or opting to abort and go around the pattern again to make another approach. They forced it too much and touched down harder than intended and porpoised up getting airborne again briefly before coming down hard again this time primarily on the nose gear. They lost control of the aircraft at this point. The plane looks like it got briefly airborne again and unintentionally yawed (and slightly banked) to port (left) because in approaching the runway in a crosswind from the left side their starboard (right) engine was most likely on a higher thrust setting then the port engine. The left wing dipped down making contact with and digging into the ground, breaking off, and causing the plane to further yaw left and flip over aided by momentum and the effect of the wind on the remaining wing which acted like a sail.

I don't mean any disrespect to the two FedEx pilots or their families but I think the cause of the accident was a combination of pilot error and unavoidable wind shear. Whatever the outcome of the investigation, I hope they rest in peace and I offer my condolences to their families and friends.

Was reading various forums on this crash and came across this post from an naval aviator in Japan. http://www.japantoday.com/category/nati ... x-accident You need to scroll down to the bottom to read his post (USNinJapan2).
Quote:
So here's my best guess at what happened. Despite reports of wind shear from previous flights, Narita Approach gave the FedEx flight clearance to land on Runway A (either 16R or 34L) because it was the only runway long enough and because the recorded winds were within limits for the MD-11. Remember strong winds don't automatically mean too dangerous to land. The experience FedEx pilots made the appropriate approach, crabbing sideways to counter the crosswind, but found themselves a little high off the deck, probably because of wind shear, when they reached their intended touch down point. Like many cargo pilots who don't have to worry about passenger comfort do in such a situation, they decided to stick the landing by forcing the plane down hard instead of using more runway to flare before touchdown or opting to abort and go around the pattern again to make another approach. They forced it too much and touched down harder than intended and porpoised up getting airborne again briefly before coming down hard again this time primarily on the nose gear. They lost control of the aircraft at this point. The plane looks like it got briefly airborne again and unintentionally yawed (and slightly banked) to port (left) because in approaching the runway in a crosswind from the left side their starboard (right) engine was most likely on a higher thrust setting then the port engine. The left wing dipped down making contact with and digging into the ground, breaking off, and causing the plane to further yaw left and flip over aided by momentum and the effect of the wind on the remaining wing which acted like a sail.

I don't mean any disrespect to the two FedEx pilots or their families but I think the cause of the accident was a combination of pilot error and unavoidable wind shear. Whatever the outcome of the investigation, I hope they rest in peace and I offer my condolences to their families and friends.

I think this sums it up pretty well.
Les