Overview

• The aircraft went down in Mexico’s southernmost Chiapas state on June 6 while dispersing sterile New World screwworm flies to stem an outbreak threatening cattle.
• Two Guatemalan pilots and one Mexican crew member died, local and aviation authorities confirmed.
• The United States suspended livestock imports from Mexico last month in response to the screwworm infestation that spread from Central America.
• Washington and Mexico finalized an April agreement deploying sterile insects and tightening import inspections to contain the pest.
• Officials previously clashed over flight scheduling and import restrictions as both nations work to prevent the invasive larvae from reaching US herds.