[2] On 3 August 2016 the aircraft, carrying 282 passengers and 18 crew,[3][4] crashed while landing at Dubai International Airport.

[14][11]: 22 On 3 August 2016, Flight EK521 took off from Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) at 10:34 IST (05:04 UTC), 29 minutes after its scheduled departure time.

[11] Two seconds later, the cockpit RAAS issued a "LONG LANDING" [note 2] warning and the crew initiated a go-around.

The flap setting was reduced to 20°, and the undercarriage was selected to retract, but the engine throttle remained unchanged because activation of go-around automation is inhibited after touchdown.

The aircraft attained a maximum height above the runway of 85 feet (26 m) with its indicated airspeed decreasing, before commencing to settle back towards the ground.

[11]: 81–86 The aircraft first impacted with the underside of its rear fuselage and skidded about 800 metres (2,600 ft; 870 yd) along runway 12L with its landing gear partly retracted as it turned to the right about 120°.

[11] As the aircraft skidded down the runway, the number-2 (starboard or right) engine detached and slid along the wing's leading edge toward the wingtip.

[27] In addition, the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sent a five-person team to join the other investigators.

[31] A preliminary report found that the pilot attempted to take off again after briefly touching down, and that the plane ultimately hit the runway as its landing gear was still retracting.

[43][44] On 11 August, eight days after the crash, Emirates provided US$7,000 in compensation for each of the 282 passengers comprising $2,000 for loss of luggage and personal effects and $5,000 for any other damages each had suffered.