On February 16, 2000, the DC-8-71F operating the flight crashed onto an automobile salvage yard shortly after taking off from Sacramento Mather Airport, resulting in the deaths of all three crew members on board.

The crew reported control problems during takeoff and attempted unsuccessfully to return to Mather airport.

Operated by United Airlines (1968–1990) and Líneas Aéreas Paraguayas (1990–1994), later modified for service as a freighter before being sold.

At 19:51, the aircraft's left wing contacted a concrete and steel support column for an overhang attached to a two-story building, located adjacent to the southeast edge of the salvage yard.

The DC-8 then crashed onto the salvage yard, touching off "a hellish scene of smoke, flames and exploding cars [that] could be seen for miles".

[5] The NTSB then added: "The safety issues discussed in this report include DC-8 elevator position indicator installation and usage, adequacy of DC-8 maintenance work cards (required inspection items), and DC-8 elevator control tab design.

The Federal Aviation Administration subsequently found more than 100 maintenance violations by the airline, including one that caused another accident on April 26, 2001.

Emery Worldwide Airlines had its entire fleet grounded on August 13, 2001, and it ceased operations permanently on December 5, 2001.

[6] This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Transportation Safety Board.