Search

Flightradar24 data regarding the crash of Atlas Air 5Y3591 near Houston

Share this article

At approximately 18:40 UTC (12:40 local time) Atlas Air 5Y3591, a Boeing 767-375(ER)(BDSF), operating for Amazon Prime Air crashed into Trinity Bay while on approach to Houston (IAH). Flight 5Y 3591 was operating from Miami.

Update 19 December 2019 — The NTSB opened the public docket as part of the ongoing investigation into the crash of Atlas Air 3591.

‘The docket includes more than 3,000 pages of factual reports that cover various aspects of the investigation, including operations, survival factors, human performance, air traffic control, aircraft performance, and includes the cockpit voice recorder transcript, sound spectrum study,  and the flight data recorder information.  The docket also includes interview transcripts, photographs, and other investigative materials.’

The docket includes only factual information and is not a final report, nor is it a finding of probable cause.


Update 12 March 2019 — The NTSB issued an investigative update on 12 March, detailing finds from the Flight data recorder. This update is not a final report, nor is it a finding of probable cause. The investigation is ongoing.

About 12:38, the controller informed the pilots that they would be past the area of weather in about 18 miles, that they could expect a turn to the north for a base leg to the approach to runway 26L, and that weather was clear west of the precipitation area. The pilots responded, “sounds good” and “ok.” At this time, radar and ADS-B returns indicated the airplane levelled briefly at 6,200 ft and then began a slight climb to 6,300 ft.

Also, about this time, the FDR data indicated that some small vertical accelerations consistent with the airplane entering turbulence. Shortly after, when the airplane’s indicated airspeed was steady about 230 knots, the engines increased to maximum thrust, and the airplane pitch increased to about 4° nose up. The airplane then pitched nose down over the next 18 seconds to about 49° in response to nose-down elevator deflection. The stall warning (stick shaker) did not activate.

FDR, radar, and ADS-B data indicated that the airplane entered a rapid descent on a heading of 270°, reaching an airspeed of about 430 knots. A security camera video (figure 4) captured the airplane in a steep, generally wings-level attitude until impact with the swamp. FDR data indicated that the airplane gradually pitched up to about 20 degrees nose down during the descent.

— NTSB investigative update

Update 3 March 2019 — The NTSB has recovered the Flight Data Recorder. It is currently being sent from Houston to the NTSB’s laboratory for analysis.


Update 1 March 2019 — The NTSB has recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder. The search for the Flight Data Recorder continues. The two recorders are often colloquially known as the Black boxes.


5Y3591 flight track

The flight departed Miami at 16:33UTC (11:33 ET). Last data received from the aircraft was at 18:39 UTC (12:39 CT). The flight was operated by an Atlas Air Boeing 767-375(ER)(BCF) registered N1217A. This aircraft first flew in was converted from a passenger aircraft to cargo and entered service with Atlas in April 2017.

N1217A in Miami
N1217A in Miami

Flightradar24 Data

We have downloaded granular ADS-B data from Flightradar24 receivers that tracked 5Y3591. Over 18,000 rows of data were received from the flight from the activation of its transponder in Miami to the loss of signal near Houston.

Altitude data

Granular altitude data for the last minute of flight

Vertical speed data

Vertical speed for the last minute of flight
Vertical speed for the last minute of flight

Downloadable data


Featured image © Jorge Saenz


On The Radar Logo

Get the latest aviation news delivered to you

Get the latest aviation news delivered to you

Flight tracking and aviation industry news direct to your inbox

Aviation news comes quickly, so join more than 1.7 million others who receive weekly aviation industry and flight tracking news from Flightradar24 direct to their inbox.

Share this article
Latest threads
Latest video

Most wanted airport receiver locations

We’re always looking for additional receiver hosts in areas that either lack coverage or need additional coverage. Help us grow the Flightradar24 ADS-B network.

Trending articles
On The Radar Logo
Get weekly updates on Flightradar24 and have the latest aviation news land in your inbox.
AvTalk Logo

AvTalk Episode 317: The (Q1) results are in

Most wanted airport receiver locations

We’re always looking for additional receiver hosts in areas that either lack coverage or need additional coverage. Help us grow the Flightradar24 ADS-B network.

How flight tracking works

Flightradar24 combines data from several data sources including ADS-B, MLAT and radar data.
Search the blog
Follow us
Latest AvTalk Podcasts
More stories
Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian aircraft. The move comes amid rising tensions following an attack by gunmen in Kashmir and a series…
London City International Airport is located in the heart of London, enabling convenient access to the city for some 3.5 million passengers per year….
On 21 April 2025, an aircraft using the call sign WELCOME was spotted in the skies above Lviv, Ukraine. Unidentified in the Flightradar24 database…

Flight tracking top 10 aircraft

Explore the top 10 most tracked aircraft and find out why these particular aircraft draw so much interest.

Help to grow our flight tracking coverage

We are continually looking to improve our flight tracking and the airports below are where new receivers will add the most coverage. Apply for a receiver today and if accepted you’ll receiver a free Flightradar24 Business Subscription.

Free ADS-B Receiver
Flightradar24 logo
Try the full Flightradar24 experience free for 7 days
Remove ads and unlock over 50 additional features
On The Radar Logo

Get the Flightradar24 Aviation newsletter

Flight tracking and aviation industry news direct to your inbox

Aviation news comes quickly, so we want to bring more of the aviation world to you with our weekly Flightradar24 aviation newsletter - On The Radar.

On The Radar Logo