Rantburg readers remember this one:
Western investigators are seeking a Boeing 727 passenger aircraft that disappeared May 25th under mysterious circumstances from the airport at Luanda, the coastal capital of Angola, Maariv reports. There is concern that terrorist organiations will use the aircraft in a September 11th-style attack.
LGF picked up on the story today, and the reader comments led me to the Professional Pilots Rumor Network . They have a whole thread going with comments by people who know the plane in question. Here are some quotes:It happened on Sunday night, and we were waiting for the international press to get hold of this one. The 727 is an ex AA one that has been here for a year now. Story from the guys on the ramp is that it fired up and taxied, no lights, no calls (not that that tower answers you on a good day anyway) and made for 23 in the dark. As it happens a ruski of some type was finals for 05 so they did a quick turn in the run up bay and back tracked 25 as what was described as very quick and then departed 25 dissapearing into the dark We laughed well after that, I wonder if there flight had been dispatched. So if anyone else in West Africa sees a Sliver 727 with Blue and White stripes. Take cash for gas and wave as they depart. It seems that the 727 was a tanker conversion, long range fuel tanks installed. Like I said previously folks, If that was a US registered X American Airlines B-727 reg.#N844AA , and it was converted to a fuel tanker last year. It has ten 500 gallon aluminum tanks bolted to the floor with 4 inch valves on each tank joined together by 4 inch high pressure hoses leading to the aft where refueling is accomplished. There is also a very unique vent system which allows almost zero fumes into the aircraft. The tanks are held to the seat tracks in four corners buy half inch bolts.(I would hate to see where the tanks would end up if a few G's were pulled) The aircraft was delivered to Luanda by a South African THEIF known as Keith Irwin. Sorry I had to repeat the theifs name again. No one on the forum has much use for the former owner, he owes many of them money. I still think repo job. |