Accident: Lufthansa MD11 at Riyadh on Jul 27th 2010, cargo fire, broke up on landing [UPDATE]

29.07.2010 - 18:41

The MD11 on fire (Photo: AFP/Al-Riyadh News)A Lufthansa Cargo MD-11 freighter, registration D-ALCQ performing flight GEC-8460 from Frankfurt/Main (Germany) to Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) with 2 crew and 80 tons of goods, veered left off the runway and broke into two parts and burst into flames while landing at Riyadh s runway 33L at 11:38L (08:38Z). The airplane came to a stand still on soft ground just off the left hand runway edge. Captain and first officer received injuries and were taken to local hospitals. Fire fighters were able to extinguish the fire, that broke out in the center area of the aircraft, front and rear portion were visibly not consumed by the fire. The airport reported, that fire fighters were able to contain the fire. Lufthansa Cargo said, that the airplane broke in two parts and caught fire. The two crew were able to leave the aircraft via an evacuation slide but received injuries, the extent of which is not being reported. In the afternoon several hours after the accident phone contact has been established with both crew members. Aviation sources in Riyadh reported, that the crew declared emergency reporting a cargo fire indication while on approach to Riyadh. The following day (Jul 28th) they reported, that first results of the investigation point into the direction of a technical malfunction causing a fire in the cargo hold. The airplane subsequently touched down very hard. Both pilots received minor injuries, the first officer suffering a back injury. Observers on the ground said, that the airplane was already trailing smoke while on final approach. Saudi Arabia s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed on Jul 27th the crew arriving from Frankfurt (Germany) declared emergency reporting a cargo fire inside the aircraft while on approach and landed at 11:38L (08:38Z). An investigation is under way. CAA spokesman Khaled al-Alkhyeeri said on Jul 29th the captain and officer are in good health with very minor injuries. Emergency services reached the aircraft within 35 seconds after touch down unloading half of their agents within 3 minutes thus efficiently confine the fire to the cargo hold. "The Economic", a Saudi Arabian newspaper in Arabic, cites CAA spokesman Khaled al-Alkhyeeri to have said on Jul 29th, that according to preliminary investigation results there was no fire before touch down. The airplane touched down very hard and veered to the left, the airplane subsequently burst into flames. The Aviation Herald was unable so far to confirm this statement with Saudi Arabia s CAA or otherwise independently verify that statement. Officials of Riyadh Airport said on Jul 29th, that the crew reported a cargo fire while on approach, emergency services immediately deployed and observed the airplane arrive in thick black smoke before the airplane touched down on the runway.. Metars: OERK 271000Z 32022KT 7000 SKC 41/05 Q1005 NOSIG OERK 270900Z 32014KT CAVOK 40/05 Q1006 NOSIG OERK 270800Z 34014KT CAVOK 39/06 Q1006 NOSIG OERK 270700Z 35010KT CAVOK 38/07 Q1007 NOSIG OERK 270600Z 33009KT CAVOK 37/07 Q1007 NOSIG OERK 270500Z 31008KT CAVOK 33/05 Q1007 NOSIG OERK 270400Z 29006KT CAVOK 30/06 Q1006 NOSIG OERK 270300Z 30007KT CAVOK 28/04 Q1006 NOSIG Relevant NOTAM: A0722/10 - PRIMARY RWY 15L/33R NOW OPEN,SECONDARY RWY 33L/15R CLOSED DUE TO DISABLEED ACFT. 27 JUL 10:33 2010 UNTIL 27 JUL 21:30 2010. CREATED: 27 JUL 10:39 2010 D-ALCQ still smouldering (Photo: AFP/Al Riyadh News): Fire extinguished, "CQ" recognizeable on tail (Photo: AP): Map (Courtesy Google Earth): Read the article at http://avherald.com/h?articleBedca16 Modify your subscription at http://avherald.com/h?login