Further details have emerged about the Lufthansa Cargo Boeing MD-11 freighter destroyed in a landing accident in Riyadh today, although the reasons for the crash remain unclear.
The aircraft's fuselage fractured during the landing, and a subsequent fire destroyed the tri-jet, although both pilots - whom the carrier describes as "experienced" - survived.
Lufthansa Cargo says it took over the 17-year old aircraft in 2004. Before the accident it had accumulated 73,200hr in 10,073 cycles.
Its last C-check took place on 22 June last year and it underwent an A-check immediately before its departure to Riyadh from Frankfurt.
Lufthansa Cargo has despatched investigators to Saudi Arabia. The carrier says it is "co-operating closely with the authorities in Riyadh and will do its utmost to help clarify the reasons for the accident".
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
