Mon, Jun 02, 2003
US Confirms Grounded Plane Missing
Senior officials in Washington now confirm
what ANN reported last week (ANN: Friday, May 30, 2003 -
"Say, Isn't This Where I Left My Boeing?") - an
Angolan airliner is missing from Luanda Airport. The Airangol 727
had been grounded at Luanda more than a year ago because of safety
concerns. On Thursday, however, Angolan officials told the South
Africa Daily News a white man boarded the aircraft, started the
engines and took off - all without authorization from air traffic
control.
American officials don't mention the part about the aircraft
being stolen from Luanda. Instead, they indicate the 727 was on a
flight from Luanda to Burkino Faso, in northwestern Africa. Stolen
or not, the aircraft never arrived at its destination.
An unnamed US official told CNN, there's "no evidence or
information to suggest this is terrorist-related," and suggested
"it is most likely criminal." According to this official, the plane
was leased, and the people involved were behind in their
payments.
American law enforcement
agencies and the intelligence community are working with the
Angolan government to help figure out why the plane was stolen and
where it ended up.
Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security issued
an warning to the US aviation industry, citing "recent reliable
reports" that indicated al Qaeda was in the final stages of
planning an aerial suicide attack against the American Consulate in
Karachi, Pakistan. According to a source who read the notice, it
noted "al Qaeda's continuing fixation with using explosive-laden
small aircraft."
More News
Inversion to Launch Reentry Vehicle Demonstrator Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 This fall, the aerospace startup Inversion is set to launch its Ray reentry demonstrator capsule aboard Spac>[...]
"We are excited to accelerate the adoption of electric aviation technology and further our journey towards a sustainable future. The agreement with magniX underscores our commitmen>[...]
"The journey to this achievement started nearly a decade ago when a freshly commissioned Gentry, driven by a fascination with new technologies and a desire to contribute significan>[...]
Aero Linx: OX5 Aviation Pioneers Each year a national reunion of OX5 Aviation Pioneers is hosted by one of the Wings in the organization. The reunions attract much attention as man>[...]
"Our driven and innovative team of military and civilian Airmen delivers combat power daily, ensuring our nation is ready today and tomorrow." Source: General Duke Richardson, AFMC>[...]