The plane apparently departed from Angola several days ago on a flight to Burkina Faso, in northwestern Africa, but it never made it to its destination, and its whereabouts are unknown, this official said. The official said there is "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.
Like I thought yesterday, Repo Man strikes again, maybe.
U.S. law enforcement and the intelligence community are working with the Angolan government to help determine what happened to the plane. When asked if there had been any intelligence from the region suggesting any terrorist activity related to a plane, the official said, "Nothing I'm aware of."
Keep your eyes open for large smoking holes
U.S. officials have recently expressed concern that al Qaeda could use aircraft to carry out a terrorist attack against U.S. interests overseas. Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security issued an advisory to the U.S. aviation community citing "recent reliable reports" indicating al Qaeda was in the final stages of planning an aerial suicide attack against the U.S. 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."
A 727 is not what I'd call a small aircraft. Bet all our air defenses in the region are on high alert looking for this plane.
| On the other hand, after over a year of sitting on the ground in Angola with no maintenance, it could also be an unintentional hole in the ground someplace on the way to Burkina Faso. But the avowed destination makes me suspicious. "Plane? What plane? We ain't seen no plane." |
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