UPDATE: Lufthansa Cargo aircraft crashes in Saudi Arabia
According to the latest reports, a Lufthansa Cargo MD-11 freighter crashed this morning at 11h38 (local time) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The aircraft, coded Flight LH 8460, was on a flight to Riyadh from Frankfurt, Germany. According to initial reports, the aircraft was piloted by a two-man crew, both of whom are receiving treatment in hospital. On board Flight LH 8460 were 80 tonnes of freight, although it has yet to be established exactly what type of freight it was or which customers are affected. Lufthansa has no further details, and the cause of the accident is still being investigated. However, a spokesman for the Saudi civil aviation authority reported that the aircraft had caught fire in mid-flight and crashed on landing, and an airport ground services official told AFP the aircraft broke in half on landing. According to a Lufthansa statement issued a few minutes ago, the MD-11 freighter is "severely damaged" but the fire has been extinguished. A team of experts from Lufthansa Cargo is on its way to Riyadh, and the airline is cooperating closely with the authorities in Riyadh and to help clarify the reasons for the accident. Lufthansa Cargo will communicate further information immediately it becomes available, and will post updates on its website. Quelle: eyefortransport |