Aircraft crash site near Sebha

[Sam Rutherford]

I have been trying to find out the history behind this, but am struggling slightly. The only information I can find describes a Boeing crash (in approximately the right area), but the aircraft remains carry large amounts of cyrillic writing (suggesting it was an Ilyushin or similar).

Does anyone know?

Thanks, Sam.

[ilesmark]

Does this help?

Aviation Safety Network > ASN Aviation Safety Database > Geographical regions > Libya air safety profile

[Sam Rutherford]

Not really, I had already gone through this.

I can only assume that it is the Boeing, but with lots (and I mean lots) of cyrillic added afterwards for the presumably Soviet-trained crew?!

Sam.

[andrasz]

You have any photos ? If so establishing the type should be reasonably easy, we can go from there. You can email me through the FJE website.

[Sam Rutherford]

Hi Andrasz,

erm, there's not that much left of it!!!

Or, alternatively, there's a square kilometre full of debris, but almost nothing larger than a football, and most bits are the size of a cigarette pack or less! It would have made a hell of a bang when it went in. I think it must be the Boeing, but with lots of new markings painted on for the Russian trained crew.

Safe travels, Sam.

[andrasz]

Hello Sam,

Based on my little aviation experience, I consider it rather unlikely for it to have been a Boeing. All Libyan Boeings were (are) operated based on the original (pre-eighties) manuals/procedures/training, no russian script would have been present on them. I have flown one of their 727-s out of Kufra only four years ago, was a guest in the cocpit, can confirm all western procedures. The chances are what you found is a russian built plane, plenty of those were/are around in Libya.

PS: most online aviation accident databases only include civilian flights, military accidents are mostly missing (most never reported). If this was a military aircraft, it would not be listed anywhere (like the several other wrecks littering the Libyan Sahara).

[ferdi]

Hi Sam,

maybe you will find something there: Wüstenschiff :: Thema anzeigen - Flugzeugwracks in der Sahara

Greetings
Ferdi

[andrasz]

Sam,

If you have any photos, send anyway, even small bits can be quite diagnostic. I have several acquaintances with experience in air accident investigation, if I cannot make any sense of the wreckage, they surely will.

All the best,
Andras