Mystery of the missing 727

WND ^ | 9-29-03 | N/A

[CyberAnt]

Thanks! This airplane still worries me.

A month or so ago when the media started talking about an attack on London - and it mentioned by airplane - this was the first thing I thought of. I sure hope we find it before thousands of people get killed.

[ASOC]

Yup
I was listening to A/C calling in to SF Internation on HF (it a hobby - OK?) One heavy from China was a little slow to answer and a bit off course - he got a visit...and an escort.

Now maybe if they flew out of Cuba and made like a MIG.....well, who knows then?

[whipitgood]

This story reminds me of the A-10 Warthog that disappeared/was stolen/got lost or whatever a few years ago. Supposedly it crashed in the mountains of Colorado. A HUGE big deal was made about how the crash site was located, parts were hauled out, etc. Call me paranoid, but I think there is a very good possibility that the thing is still out there-intact-and airworthy. I suppose somebody will have a lot of splainin' to do if it ever shows up again.

[Wilhelm Tell]

I heard speculation that the most likely course for an attack on North America would involve an unfiled flight to South America from Africa, followed by a perfectly normal appearing transport-type flight plan to North America.

That is the first thing I thought of when I heard the news of the vanishing 727 a few months ago. My father was a flight engineer during the DC-4 days (four-engine propeller airliner), and one of his routes was from South America to western Africa. I don't know the range of a 727, but I imagine a trip from Africa to South America is quite possible. The idea that terrorists could steal a jet in Africa and cross over to South America seems plausible (and frightening) to me.

[MistrX]

It's been converted into a fuel tanker. That might just give it a little extra range.

[okie01]

"Not sure about the range, but I don't think it would be over 3,000 miles."

However, since it's been converted to a tanker, how many thousands could you add to that?

[1FreeAmerican]

Question? Where did it get the fuel to go anywhere in the first place? Is that much fuel easy to obtain?

[Marie]

Art Bell... call your office.

[Cindy]

LINKS Of Interest:

BUSH COUNTRY.org: "STOLEN BOEING 727 FEARED IN HANDS OF AL-QAEDA" by Gordon Thomas (September 11, 2003) (Read More...)

WorldNetDaily.com: "MIDEAST-LOOKING MEN STEAL AIRPORT COMPUTERS Australia Fears Terrorists Might Have Gained Access to Intelligence" (September 5, 2003) (Read More...)

[JustPiper]

I hope your wrong but I agree ;(

Hiya Sweet SF, how'you' been ?

[JustPiper]

I've read here one rumor was it has been painted

[JustPiper]

Bump! Do a search for missing 727 here, lordy ;)

[JustPiper]

I love picstures ;)

[JustPiper]

I remember this.

[JustPiper]

You know Ant I still worry more about a small plane filled with chem/bio more than anything, even a suitcase nuke.

[JustPiper]

That was 3 mos ago and they still aren't sure they haven't found it, man!

[Moose4]

It depends. Not all tankers install the plumbing to allow the fuel carried as cargo to flow into the airplane's own tanks. It's possible that the plane may have been converted to carry fuel, but that doesn't mean that the plane can use any of it.

}:-)4