The 727 that Vanished
A case pursued by the FBI, the CIA, the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security, CENTCOM, and the sister of Ben Padilla.
- By Tim Wright
- Air & Space magazine, September 2010
In 2003, a 727 that once flew for American Airlines disappeared from Angola.
Courtesy Mike Gabriel
Seven years after her brother disappeared from Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport in Angola, Benita Padilla-Kirkland is trying to persuade the FBI to re-open his case. She believes she has the “new information” agents told her they require. But she suspects that the agency already has more information than agents will admit to.
Kirkland’s brother, Ben Charles Padilla, a certified flight engineer, aircraft mechanic, and private pilot, disappeared while working in the Angolan capital, Luanda, for Florida-based Aerospace Sales and Leasing. On May 25, 2003, shortly before sunset, Padilla boarded the company’s Boeing 727-223, tail number N844AA. With him was a helper he had recently hired, John Mikel Mutantu, from the Republic of the Congo. The two had been working with Angolan mechanics to return the 727 to flight-ready status so they could reclaim it from a business deal gone bad, but neither could fly it. Mutantu was not a pilot, and Padilla had only a private pilot’s license. A 727 ordinarily requires three trained aircrew.
According to press reports, the aircraft began taxiing with no communication between the crew and the tower; maneuvering erratically, it entered a runway without clearance. With its lights off and its transponder not transmitting, 844AA took off to the southwest, and headed out over the Atlantic Ocean. The 727 and the two men have not been seen since.
Who was flying 844AA? Had something happened to make Padilla take that desperate chance? Or was someone waiting inside the airplane? Leased to deliver diesel fuel to diamond mines, the 727 carried 10 500-gallon fuel tanks and a few passenger seats in its cabin. Less than two years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the 727’s freakish departure triggered a frantic search by U.S. security organizations for what intelligence sources said could have been a flying bomb.
Retired U.S. Marine General Mastin Robeson, commander of U.S. forces in the Horn of Africa when 844AA went missing, says word of the 727 “came up through the intelligence network.” According to Robeson, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) considered moving U.S. fighter aircraft to Djibouti on the Red Sea coast, where the Combined Joint Task Force shares a base with the French military. Robeson continues: “It was never [clear] whether it was stolen for insurance purposes…by the owners, or whether it was stolen with the intent to make it available to unsavory characters, or whether it was a deliberate concerted terrorist attempt. There was speculation of all three.”
Speculation that the theft of 844AA posed a terrorist threat ended, though it’s unclear why. Perhaps National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency technicians saw signs of a crash in satellite imagery—debris or an oil slick in the Atlantic, for example—or evidence that a large aircraft had landed on one of a half-dozen unpaved, 8,000-foot runways in the Congo, north of Angola. Agency spokesperson Susan Meisner would not comment, saying that the NGIA was not the lead agency in the case. (A CIA spokesperson also declined comment, as did a spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security. FBI agents also refused comment, citing national security concerns.) Perhaps the speculation ended more gradually, after weeks without clues or sightings stretched into months. The disturbed hornet’s nest of a global security alert—the searches, bulletins, and interrogations—quieted, and in 2005, the FBI closed its case. I have filed Freedom of Information Act requests with the CIA and FBI and have followed in at least some of the FBI’s footsteps, interviewing the people who flew 844AA to Angola and worked with it there, hoping to understand how a 727 could just disappear.
“IT REALLY WAS in beautiful condition,” Keith Irwin says of the airliner he acquired in Miami in February 2002. Irwin, 57, a South African entrepreneur who ran a series of information technology companies and, until 2000, a small tourist airline with flights from South Africa to Mozambique, had come to Miami to pick up a different aircraft altogether. Representing a joint venture with a South African company called Cargo Air Transport Systems, Irwin had arranged to lease a 727 and two flight crews—pilot, first officer, and flight engineer—for a year. The air transport company had signed a contract to supply fuel to diamond mines in Angola, where a long civil war had made transporting goods by road almost impossible. The 727, therefore, was to have been delivered with fuel tanks installed in the cabin. The joint venture was backed by a single investor, who had deposited $450,000 in a U.S. bank. Irwin’s job was to manage the flight operations, but the deal for the airplane fell through. Irwin ended up with fuel tanks and no airplane.
That failure stranded six crewmen who had assembled in Miami. “The guys then were desperate for work,” says Irwin. “Most of those guys had not flown in a long time because of the 9/11 story. I said, ‘Look, I can take you on if we can find another aircraft.’ ” And Irwin met Maury Joseph, president of Aerospace Sales and Leasing, Inc. Joseph owned three 727s that had recently been retired by American Airlines. “All three aircraft were almost in mint condition,” says Irwin. “American Airlines had a very good maintenance program.”
New deal: Joseph sold 844AA to Irwin for $1 million and change. According to his records, he received a down payment of $125,000, and says he stipulated that the balance be paid within 30 days. He agreed to remove the passenger seats from the cabin and to allow Irwin to take the airliner to Africa. Irwin says he cannot remember the details of the agreement, but recalled it to be a lease arrangement. In any case, the joint venture made only two payments and defaulted.
Though the two men now differ over the terms of the contract, they agree on one detail: As a condition of the agreement, Irwin was required to take along one of Joseph’s employees, Mike Gabriel, whose job was to make sure that the deal was concluded. “I gave Mike $10,000 and told him to fly with them,” says Joseph. “Stay with the plane till you get the money, and then come on home, and if not, bring the plane home.”
On February 28, 2002, with most of the passenger seats removed and the 10 fuel tanks loaded, 844AA, still in the livery of American Airlines, with a blue stripe down the side and an AA logo fading on its tail, took off for Africa.
Because Irwin’s partners had not arranged a landing permit, it took two weeks for the crew to make their way to Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport, where they arrived on March 14. Irwin, who had not worked in Angola before, realized immediately that the deal was in trouble. The company hiring his partners for deliveries, Kuwachi Dundo, was supposed to pay $220,000 when the airplane and crew landed, but instead the company’s representative made excuses. (Irwin lost almost $140,000 in the first deal and had burned through the rest of the $450,000 by March.)
The crew endured accommodations in a dismal apartment without electricity or drinkable water, near an open sewer. (Gabriel and Irwin didn’t stay with the crew; they had rented an apartment in the back of a house owned by an Angolan air force general.) The only one of the men not troubled by the circumstances they found in Angola was Mike Gabriel. Gabriel, a dealer in aircraft parts and engines, had spent a considerable amount of time in West Africa, and was accustomed to the AK-47s the men saw everywhere, including stacked up behind the bar of a club they frequented. Most worrisome to the crew was that they were required to surrender their passports on arrival. Irwin explains that Kuwachi needed the passports to obtain Angolan licenses for the pilots and flight engineers.
“I was scared to death. I really thought I was going to die,” says Art Powell, one of the flight engineers with the project. Powell had been to Angola before and had spent a year working in Nairobi, Kenya, but this experience was different. He felt intimidated by the people who had hired the crew for the fuel-delivery job. His anxiety was intensified by the presence of a local “helper” who toted an AK-47. The helper was a guard whom Mike Gabriel says he hired because the crew repeatedly voiced concerns about safety.
When Kuwachi got wind of the crews’ unrest (several crew members have admitted that they were planning to steal the aircraft to escape to South Africa or return to the States), the company refused to return the passports. Irwin and members of the crew went to the U.S. Embassy; only then were the passports returned.
By Angolan regulations, Irwin says, 844AA was controlled by the clients who hired it. Prohibited from flying the aircraft out of the country, Irwin booked airline seats and flew the crew members to South Africa. From there, two of the men immediately flew home to the United States. One says he is still owed $17,000. The other four crewmen, still hoping for the money they’d been promised, stayed on.
By April, Irwin was extricating himself from the deal made by Cargo Air Transport Systems and had found a new backer, an Angolan who arranged deliveries for a different client. Irwin and the remaining crew returned to Luanda and began flying the shipments for the new company. Mike Gabriel placed the total number of flights made at 17.
“It’s the most dangerous flying in the world,” says a crewman who asked that his name be withheld because he fears for his career. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he likened the deliveries to flying into a combat zone. When they approached the airfields, the crew tried to stay at an altitude above small-arms fire for as long as possible, then spiraled down to land.
“I’ve been a [flight deck crew member] for 30 years,” he says. “For me, it was an opportunity to make a couple of bucks... and when everything started falling apart, I probably hung on twice as long as common sense dictated. But I had too much invested at that point to bail out.”
Many of the runways, says Mike Gabriel, aren’t paved and aren’t like the ones U.S. crews are accustomed to. “On some, you land uphill, then go downhill, then uphill again,” he says.
At one airstrip, the anonymous crewman says, just before 844AA arrived, a 727 flying for a competing company crashed on landing and skidded off the runway. Although the crew survived, he says, some local residents were killed. “We gave [the other flight crew] a lift out of there but not before going over to their airplane and stealing some parts that we needed. That’s when I decided it was time to go home.”
Before he left, he says, a “big African showed up with a briefcase full of hundred-dollar bills. It was payday.” Besides paying the crew, the money was supposed to pay off accumulated airport fees and fuel costs.
“After that,” the crewman says, “I created a family emergency…. I said, ‘My mother is sick.’ ” He promised he’d return in two weeks and left. “I had no intentions of going back, of course. I didn’t get anywhere near full pay, but I got enough that I could pay my bills and make it not completely worthless.”
By the end of April, all of the Americans except Mike Gabriel had left.
Irwin hired a local crew and continued to deliver fuel to the mines, but he was ready to leave too. The civil war in Angola had ended. Competition among fuel haulers, Irwin says, had intensified, and he was growing more uncomfortable with the delivery deals. His partners were claiming part ownership of the aircraft, but Maury Joseph had not been paid. Joseph, meanwhile, sent a crew to swap an engine from the 727. Finally, Irwin says, he was being followed—by a local man named Antonio, who, Irwin believes, was working for one of his partners. “I would turn around,” Irwin says, “and spot Antonio watching me from a car.”
Irwin began wedging a chair under the door handle of his hotel room “just like you see in the movies.” One night, he heard a key card slide into the slot on the door. The lock released. “I started yelling and whoever it was ran,” he says. The hotel security guards questioned the night clerk and learned that he had accepted a bribe to provide the key card. Irwin left the country the next day and didn’t go back.
Maury Joseph fired Mike Gabriel some time that spring. “He kept convincing me that next week, next month…,” Joseph says, referring to the outstanding balance owed on the airplane.
In May 2002, the only part of the original 844AA project left at the Luanda airport was 844AA.
THE SON OF A FLORIDA MILLWRIGHT, Ben Charles Padilla Jr. was always mechanically gifted, says sister Benita Padilla-Kirkland, and from the time he was a boy, he loved airplanes. In his mid-20s he learned to fly and became certified as an airframe-and-powerplant mechanic. He lived in south Florida with two children, one his own, and a fiancée of 15 years. (Efforts to contact her were unsuccessful.) Though the two weren’t married, Padilla gave her power of attorney in his absence and made her the executor of his estate, according to Padilla-Kirkland, and left her almost everything in his will.
“He certainly knew the airplane,” says Maury Joseph. Padilla was a freelancer, who had worked for Joseph on two jobs before traveling to Angola to repossess 844AA. Padilla had worked extensively in Africa. He helped Joseph ferry a 727 to Nigeria for a sale and during the negotiations stayed to explain the aircraft systems. “If you said, ‘Go to Cambodia and do this’ or ‘Go to Indonesia and do this’ or ‘Go to South America and do this’ he would do it. [When in Nigeria] I was with Ben daily for a month or more,” says Joseph. “You become fairly close to somebody when you’re with them day and night.” Joseph trusted him.
But another employer formed a different opinion. Jeff Swain, who works near Miami in international aircraft sales and leasing, had hired Padilla in the late 1990s for an airline he was operating in Indonesia—and fired him. “We had certain standards of conduct we expected from flight engineers,” Swain says, adding, when pressed, “He was too involved in chasing the local girls. It was an unstructured environment, and he just went bad.” Swain says that after Padilla was fired, he stayed on in Indonesia for two months and racked up a $10,000 bill that he told the hotel the airline would pay. “We finally had him deported,” says Swain.
Padilla once showed Swain a photograph of a woman with small children and told him it was his wife in Mozambique, but Swain says, “I never believed it was real. Ben was always marveling everyone with his bullshit stories.” One of Padilla’s friends also saw a photograph of a wife, but insists that she lived in Tanzania. Another acquaintance was told that Padilla had a wife in Indonesia.
Benita Padilla-Kirkland says she’s heard the stories, but believes her brother would have told her if he’d had another family. She doesn’t doubt the relationships, but is convinced that Padilla was helping to support people he’d befriended. “There might have been more than one of those situations,” she says.
WHAT IN FEBRUARY 2002 had been a retired airliner in excellent condition had by fall become a junker worth only the price of its engines. And Maury Joseph found a buyer for them: Jeff Swain. Swain says that Irwin and the crews had ruined the airplane. “It would never be of any value again,” he says. “You can’t put water tanks full of fuel in an airplane and expect it to be good. Totally stupid. But it had really good engines on it—maybe 1,000 cycles since new.”
In November 2002, Joseph and Ben Padilla flew to Nigeria to deliver a 727, and Joseph hired Padilla to fly to Angola the following April to pay the outstanding fines and hire mechanics to return the 727 to service. “If [the company that contracted for fuel deliveries] wasn’t paying Mr. Irwin, you can assume he wasn’t paying anybody,” says Joseph. “He probably hadn’t paid the fuel bill. He didn’t pay the navigation fees, the landing fees, and certainly wasn’t paying the parking fees at the airport. So all of those became things that we had to resolve and I had to pay all those.”
Padilla worked with Air Gemini, a Luanda-based airline that operated a repair station. The return-to-service process was progressing steadily, according to Joseph, and in May 2003, acting as Joseph’s agent, Padilla hired a pilot and copilot from Air Gemini to help him deliver the aircraft to Johannesburg, South Africa, where Joseph was waiting with his new customer. A day or two before the aircraft was to leave Luanda, Padilla made plans with Air Gemini to take the aircraft from the company hangar out to the main runway, where he intended to run the three engines up to full power for a systems check.
Late in the morning on May 26, when Joseph and Swain were expecting 844AA to land, Joseph took a call from an Air Gemini employee, who demanded to know why another crew had flown the airplane out of Luanda. “He was kind of hard on me,” Joseph says. After the shock wore off, he telephoned the U.S. Embassy in South Africa to report the disappearance, then called his wife back in Florida to tell her to call the FBI. From Washington, D.C., the Department of State, notified by the U.S. Embassy in Angola, sent a message to every American embassy in Africa: Alert aviation officials that an airliner has been stolen, and call every airport with a runway long enough to handle a 727.
For the U.S. government, fraud was one theory that could explain the aircraft’s disappearance. “Part of the intelligence was that the airplane was in a bad state of repair,” says General Robeson. “That was one of the speculations, that it was an insurance fraud situation. You know, ‘Oops, my plane was hijacked/stolen by terrorists and now I can do an insurance claim on it.’ So, that was probably as valid of an explanation when all was said and done as anything. But we just left it as an unknown.”
Among intelligence officials, the suspicions of fraud may have been aroused by knowledge of an incident in Maury Joseph’s past. During the 1990s, Joseph was CEO of a cargo airline named Florida West (which later went bankrupt). The Securities and Exchange Commission charged him in a civil case with falsifying financial statements and defrauding investors. The court imposed a fine and barred Joseph from acting as an officer in a publicly held company.
But Joseph, when contacted by the FBI, volunteered to take a lie-detector test, and Swain, who was there when Joseph took the call from Air Gemini, is certain that Joseph had nothing to do with the airplane’s disappearance. “Look, nobody was more amazed by this situation than Maury,” Swain says. He describes Joseph as utterly confused by the information that the airplane was gone.
The suspicion that Ben Padilla could have played any part in an insurance fraud angers his younger brother. “If anybody would say to me that my brother was involved with this,” says Joe Padilla, his voice tightening, “they’re full of it. ’Cuz I know my brother. He’s not gonna do nothing crooked. I know that for a fact.” He is convinced that more than one person was already on board, waiting, and that they forcibly took the aircraft, and killed Ben and John Mutantu.
“I keep hoping against hope that maybe he’s tucked away somewhere,” says Benita Padilla-Kirkland. The new information she passed along to the FBI was a possible sighting of the aircraft, one of many reported over the years.
Mike Gabriel believes the airplane crashed in the Atlantic Ocean soon after takeoff. One crew member from the fuel delivery operation thinks the Angolan air force shot it down with a missile. A Luandan pilot says the word there is that the aircraft went north and vanished near Kinshasa, Congo. One of Ben Padilla’s friends says the airplane was disassembled for parts in Bujumbura, Burundi, on Tanzania’s western border.
Picking through the fragments of 844AA’s history, I found a story of broken deals, disappointments, and betrayals, but no real clues to the aircraft’s destination that day in 2003. We may never know for sure where it went. It is the largest aircraft ever to have disappeared without a trace.
Tim Wright is a writer living in Richmond, Virginia.
Comments (581)
An excellent report. I am a procecutor and maybe it´s a case of insurance fraud.
Will be good a second part history.
Posted by carlos saenz quesada on August 25,2010 | 04:29 PM
Interesting article to say the least. Hope this is not a cover up. With the technology out there today, why can't we find an aircraft that size. I thought the FBI and CIA would be all over that.
Posted by woody brackney on August 28,2010 | 03:11 PM
It would seem as if our government would not only find the plane but as well as my father, it's been seven years, still no results. I had a dream now for five years, about my father being on this island. i wish somebody would try to help us find my dad.
Posted by Holley Padilla, Bens daughter on August 30,2010 | 08:09 PM
It seems to me that this is just a case of covering up and seems to me that joseph was trying to find a guinea pig. And he found one--my father [Ben Padilla]. I do agree that this has to be a insurance fraud. I just wished they would find my father and bring him home, he has missed so much he has grandchildren and both of his parents are gone now and we have been all waiting on him to come home. THANK YOU.
Posted by Holley Padilla on August 30,2010 | 08:54 PM
Jean Mutantu who is in prison in Abuja knows the whole story so why all the guess work.
Great piece of work.
Posted by Michel Du Neige on September 10,2010 | 12:53 PM
See the attached website for some startling information.... I don't know how valid this info is, I'm just the messenger.
http://www.flyafrica.info/forums/showthread.php?t=30572
I hope you find your lost relative.
Regards,
Mark EDITORS' REPLY: Thanks Mark. The author of our article, Tim Wright, is one of the participants on that discussion thread.
Posted by Mark Fouche on September 11,2010 | 07:14 AM
Have you read "By Order of the President" by W.E.B. Griffin? Apparently, the story of this aircraft inspired that book. An interesting read.
Posted by G Rowley on September 15,2010 | 02:48 PM
Interesting mystery. When I first read the title of the article my first reaction was..."maybe it was a 3-D experiment by the military.."
Posted by Diana on September 15,2010 | 02:49 PM
Another one of those things that I am glad that I am not a part of. Terrible for those that are missing as a result of the above. I don't understand why it was not shot down in the first place. Too many ways our security system fails us. Homeland security? Right...
Posted by xibo on September 15,2010 | 02:52 PM
There is a "phantom" fleet of jets that constantly fly from South America (primarily Brazil down to Argentina) with destinations in Africa and most of the Middle East. There are known drug and terrorist flights that use the dead radar zones to escape detection.
For those of you who think that there is so much technology or expertise out there that it would be impossible for this plane to simply vanish, you are living in a fantasy. There are no radars covering the ocean and when a plane's transponder is shut off that's that.
If you think that there is an army of experts out there keeping an eye on everything, then you are deeper in your fantasy than I originally thought.
Posted by BrickellPrincess on September 15,2010 | 02:52 PM
Having just read about this story for the first time, my intuition tells me Jean Mutantu is the culprit. Padilla unwittingly hired him, not knowing who he really was. Someone in the diamond business wanted a new plane. He forced Padilla to fly the plane. It's doubtful they made it to wherever they were headed.
Posted by Christina G. on September 15,2010 | 02:55 PM
Seems like a pretty clear cut case of two keystone crooks 'almost' getting away with their little caper.....until they crashed somewhere.
case closed IMO.
Posted by Jeff on September 15,2010 | 02:55 PM
I'm sorry to think that our government sucks.Why can't they find an airplane this big.This has to have been a cover up on some deal that went bad.
Posted by hope avalos on September 15,2010 | 02:58 PM
Good Grief! I say whoever masterminded this outrageous story is probably using this to transport his desire to get rich quick. It had to be an inside job. There is money involved
Posted by Jerry A. on September 15,2010 | 02:59 PM
I'm puzzled how no one came to this conclusion that the plain could be the one on "LOST".!!!
Posted by AA on September 15,2010 | 02:59 PM
usually if the FBI or CIA refuse to comment and cite national security concerns as the reasons, it means the most likely already know what happened and fear the media will construed it to fit their need. either that or because the deal fell through this is one way they tried to reimburse themselves.
Posted by azarias tibebu on September 15,2010 | 03:00 PM
Obviously there is a reason FBI,CIA,DHS,NTSB don't want to get involved, by making any statements. This plane was shot down folks. Probably by us, via information given through the tower in Angola. They probably thought that terrorists had stolen the plane, that was loaded with fuel. It had all the lights and transponder off. There was no communication with the tower in Angola. This is a pretty big givaway that something dirty may be going on. I think a couple of marine corp fighters splashed it in the Atlantic, after no contact could be made to determine who, and why this plane was in the air.
Posted by Shawn on September 15,2010 | 03:02 PM
Wait, so what is the new information to reopen the case? Did I read this too quickly and miss something?
Posted by Patrick on September 15,2010 | 03:02 PM
Hey,
I hate for this to sound like a cliché, but come on , follow the money.
Posted by Basil on September 15,2010 | 03:08 PM
I read a very similar story; "By Order of the President", Book I in THE PRESIDENTIAL AGENT series by W.E.B. Griffin. Missing airliner terrorists theories, government involvement, etc.
Posted by Garry Eppler on September 15,2010 | 03:13 PM
In the 2004 W. E. B. Griffin novel "By Order of the President", a Boeing 727 is stolen from the same airport in Luanda on May 25, 2005, with one crew aboard and ultimately going missing. I immediately recognized the scenario from W.E.B. Griffin's novel but the better quote than I could have written.
This has got to be a Nightmare for any HEAVY aircraft operator. Insurance companies will find any excuse not to pay off. IMO The FEDs will have buried any evidence after finding the craft had been parted out or smashed into jungle foliage - where there are counter-terrorism dollars, there's a mystery and a hint of FOUL play.
I hope that they can resolve the disappearance of Mr Padilla and the Aircraft. My father disappeared for 7 yrs, it was hell on us. Even though our father was found alive, I fear that Africa has claimed another victim ne'er to be found again in Mr. Padilla.
Our prayers for the family.
Posted by Scott L on September 15,2010 | 03:15 PM
The author W.E.B. Griffin wrote of this incident in his novel By Order Of The President, published in or around 2005. It is a great read and nearly matches this senerio. Maybe his publisist has more info to share or at least access to it. Just a thaught. His writing is to close to reality to be fiction.
Posted by Scott Becker on September 15,2010 | 03:19 PM
So sad that our resources couldn't find this plane and the people that disappeared with it.
And we still help people in that region, why?
I say pull out all the U.S. citizens and companies and let them all starve to death or kill each other off for food.
And don't let any of them into our country for anything. They made their bed let them lay in it.
If it were up to me, I would make the whole continent a parking lot for the mall.
Posted by Pat on September 15,2010 | 03:22 PM
US Military forces in all probability forced the plane down or it was shot down being there were no passengers.
Posted by Mark on September 15,2010 | 03:27 PM
I just googled this and it seems that the 727 was actually FOUND back in 2003... at least according to The Guardian.
Here's the link:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/jul/07/jamesastill
The story says it had been repainted and was being used... and that a photo of it was taken and shown to American Airlines who confirmed it was the correct plane.
No word on what happened to Padilla though.
Posted by carol on September 15,2010 | 03:29 PM
definitely a cover-up. how about getting a screen writer to get this case public attention. great grist for a movie. keep this before the public....hollywood needs something serious like this.
Posted by shanti north on September 15,2010 | 03:30 PM
all i know is.. if my Dad goes missing in these exact same circumstances.. i wouldnt rest a damn minute or resource i had on finding the truth..
drug trafficing.. insurance fraud.. thats it... arms dealing at the most...
Posted by Blackstar on September 15,2010 | 03:38 PM
Unfortunately the area where that aircraft took off is, has it has always been, rift with conflict. The militia in that area has no clear chain of command and often operates outside any direct direction of central leadership. Without direct consent of Jean Mutantu and his parent nation I regretfully advise the truth might be harder found. One positive reply I did see was multiple agencies operation in the U.S. Government sighting National security reasons which would make perfect sense if the aircraft had taken off from landed in or called an I.F.E. inside U.S. airspace. I truly hope you find the information you need to get the closer you so rightly deserve and my thoughts and prayers go off to the family of this man.
Posted by John F. Sattler on September 15,2010 | 03:38 PM
It seems to me that Ben Padilla does not want to be found. If there was a crash of some sorts, there would be physical evidence of that. The plane must have landed and Ben must have been paid well, cause he is no where to be found. If you have money, you can disappear and become someone easily. If all the rumors of his womanizing and partying in different countries hold true, then him ditching everything in the U.S. and living it up in some remote island wouldn't be a stretch.
Posted by Chris on September 15,2010 | 03:41 PM
"Holley" how could it have been seven years when this happened in 2008? Alot about this whole thing seems very suspicious and fake.
Posted by Wendy on September 15,2010 | 03:45 PM
Wow, this is an amazing story I am shocked that I never heard about it until now. I hope you find your father and the truth on what really happened. Waiting to hear in future what happens.
Posted by Randi on September 15,2010 | 03:46 PM
When CIA wants to it can find needle in a haystack. I am surprised why it hasnt solved the mystery yet. For the sake of the children who are waiting for him, BEN padilla must be found
Posted by Mrs Parveen Shah on September 15,2010 | 03:53 PM
Hi, I am so sorry to hear your father is missing. I also wish he could come home so you can have your Dad in your life again. God bless you.
Posted by Randall on September 15,2010 | 03:53 PM
what is the used of satellite,i think it's not used to track only terrorist but for such situations .
Posted by papa pi on September 15,2010 | 03:57 PM
This would make for a good detective story. Wish Holmes was here.
Posted by Vissar2 on September 15,2010 | 03:59 PM
With the technology we have today, there is no-way a plane of this size just disappeared. Sounds like a cover-up to me.
Posted by chrisoak on September 15,2010 | 04:03 PM
This should be a movie!
Posted by on September 15,2010 | 04:03 PM
This should be a movie about money diamonds and greed!!
Posted by JT on September 15,2010 | 04:04 PM
I just wish that Holley could find her dad.Screw the plane. These are lives we are taking about. I think thats more important than this plane.
Posted by John.S on September 15,2010 | 04:06 PM
I love mysteries. One day this will make a hollywood or made for TV movie. I was planning to just scan through the article but it was so interesting that I want to know more.
Posted by ben huguley on September 15,2010 | 04:08 PM
Jerry, you are right. This is an outrageous story in which the "bad guys" have found a "black" use for a "retired" airplane. It was probably an insider who has planned the robbery in advance. In cases such as this, there is always money involved.
Posted by Vissar2 on September 15,2010 | 04:16 PM
If money was involved then my question is who got the money? If people are missing then it is hard for me to think those persons were involved. If no one knows where they are then how did they get money? I am not sure about this. There is no smoking gun. I feel sorry for those who may have lost their loved ones. This is a story that is not finished whether the outcome is good or bad. Good Luck
Posted by John Wolhoy on September 15,2010 | 04:16 PM
Somehow, someway, George Bush had something to do with this. P
Posted by Jerald Peterson on September 15,2010 | 04:24 PM
I wouldn't be surprised if this story isn't turned into a Hollywood movie. It certainly has enough intrique and mysterious twists, not to mention some unsavory characters. I hope the family eventually gets some answers about the dissappearance of Padilla, they could use some closure.
Posted by Michele in CA on September 15,2010 | 04:42 PM
Finding a plane crash is not that easy, remember the multi-millionaire who took off in his private plane in the desert and hasn't been found since.
Finding crash sites is not always easy. We have had several instances in the South where cars went off the road into a patch of cudzu and not be found for years. Same thing with the ocean and the jungle. Things that get covered up by water or vegetation are hard to find.
Very, very strange that the transponder was not working, sounds like the plane was wither hijacked for profit or insurance.
Maybe one day the family will get answers.
Posted by M. E. Joiner on September 15,2010 | 05:00 PM
I bet the plane is being used to smuggle weapons and gun runners like in Lord of Ward
Posted by ARH on September 15,2010 | 05:04 PM
Well, now we know where WEB Griffin got the inspiration for his book, "By Order Of The President"...
Posted by MP on September 15,2010 | 05:15 PM
The plane could have easily gone missing after crashing in the ocean. Very big ocean, very little plane... contrary to conspiracy fantasies, we don't have satellites, etc watching every inch and our every move at all times. It crashed in the ocean, end of story. :)
Posted by C McC on September 15,2010 | 05:28 PM
the plane is now been use as an airliner. proof me wrong
Posted by on September 15,2010 | 05:37 PM
I am surprised by the attitude of the FBI.How come a big aircraft like that dissapears without any trace and nobody doing anything about it?I feel for the family of PADILLA.This is pure MAFIA with ramifications in Angola,usa,South Africa and so on....In times of despair like this one, pray PADILLA's famly,to God that the truth shall be known one day.
Posted by Ina on September 15,2010 | 05:40 PM
Somebody should make a movie out of this great story and unfortune events and with the money from the movie launch a new investigation with profecionals in the area. also this will show people how insurance froud happend or how goverments coverup is done.
Posted by Aldo Montes de Oca on September 15,2010 | 05:47 PM
Shades of W E B Griffen...sounds exactly like a story line he wrote earlier this decade, even down to the in-fighting between the intelligence (???) services. How strange to see life following fiction...
Posted by charles H on September 15,2010 | 05:56 PM
THE AUTHOR OF THE STORY COMMENTS: Following multiple discussions by telephone and email it was agreed that the Mutantu in the Abuja prison is not the same man who was working with N844AA. The mystery of what happened to N844AA remains as deep as ever and may remain so unless government documents requested under FOIA appeals reveal otherwise.
Posted by Tim Wright on September 15,2010 | 06:11 PM
That's what happens when you try to screw the Government. The plane probably crashed if neither of them knew how to fly it properly...exactly what those criminals deserve. I think this story is hilarious.
Posted by Don Beeth on September 15,2010 | 06:12 PM
I was overwhelmed with a sense of deja vu when I read this story: then I realized that I HAD read it before. G. Rowley hit it on the head; it is the plot line for the book "By Order of the President' by W.E.B. Griffin
Posted by Roger Hartwell on September 15,2010 | 06:34 PM
This sounds like a good movie plot..............
Of course the poor man (padllia ) is probably dead.
And The Government authorities that needed to solve this case have done so and just blew it off............
Reason.........crookes of the same cloth....
Posted by jesse a on September 15,2010 | 06:35 PM
This must be where WEB Griffin came up with the idea for his first book in the Presidential Agent series of novels.
Posted by zeeks on September 15,2010 | 06:45 PM
My guess is the unskilled crew crashed into the ocean. It would be very difficult to find a downed jet in such a large ocean, especially when you don't even know exactly where it could have crashed. There is no radar coverage once get you get away from land, so there's no way anyone could have seen where it went (well, except for satellites, but who knows what they were watching at the time).
Posted by Jesse on September 15,2010 | 06:46 PM
Angola,Diamonds, D.R.Congo, Arms run, this sounds more of a CIA story gone bad, just like the one of Vitor Bout and his AK 47 Runs.
CIA, FBI, all knew of Vitor Bout, the 727's that operated between Angola and D.R.Congo, Kisangani, Lubumbashi, Kinshasha, Goma, Bangui, Luanda etc........
Sierra Leone, Liberia, all 707/727's operating around there?????
Can people come to the real world that the cold war was being play to the mineral wealth of Africa...
?????, WAS IT THE MONEY, OR ???? POLITICS
Posted by AAA on September 15,2010 | 06:46 PM
I think our own government, (CIA, FBI, and god knows who else), is using this plane to plan another 9/11...Why not? These were the real perpetrators of the terrorist attacks on US soil.
Posted by Lester Tiedeman on September 15,2010 | 06:52 PM
Very interesting....Fiction Author W.E.B. Griffin
published a non fiction book "By Order of the President"
in 2004 that is a carbon copy of this particular incident..
Go Figure ?
Posted by don on September 15,2010 | 06:52 PM
It's odd... I read this story and how odd I don't recall any news about this in 2003. Why the secrecy? Something isn't right with how it happened. The family of Mr Padilla ought to keep searching for their father and not give up.
Posted by Kianna on September 15,2010 | 06:53 PM
Another victim of the Bermuda Triangle...
Posted by Stosh P. on September 15,2010 | 06:53 PM
Its lost on a tropical time traveling island
Posted by Ryan on September 15,2010 | 06:53 PM
Some body know's and ain't telling.I bet i bet i bet.
Posted by Ted on September 15,2010 | 06:54 PM
The article is a bit misleading - a private pilot can fly a 727 provided the pilot has a 727 type rating. It would be more accurate to say that Padilla had a private pilot's license, but was not type rated (certified) to fly 727s.
John Travolta is an excellent example of a private pilot who has complex aircraft type ratings.
Posted by J.N. on September 15,2010 | 06:56 PM
more like C.I.A
Posted by indrid-cold on September 15,2010 | 06:56 PM
Well its not at the main airport in libya but south of there at a Ben Ghasi airport on the south east end and appears to have been there a bit,,, its twin is still sitting back at the airport this one was taken from go to google
Posted by john on September 15,2010 | 06:57 PM
Definitely bizarre and fascinating.
Posted by leslieG on September 15,2010 | 06:59 PM
Would make a good movie!!!
Posted by Bo on September 15,2010 | 07:00 PM
O gee whizz. It's probably in the bottom of the ocean. What the heck is the mystery here? Also.....there are THOUSANDS of large military planes which vanished during the war years that they still find on a regular basis. Not shot down either.....just crashed in remote areas such as the "hump" in ww2.
Posted by Tim on September 15,2010 | 07:04 PM
Hmm. Now I know where WEB Griffin got the plot line for his book, "Presidential Agent."
Except in that one, the American was dead, SPECOPs neutralized the plot, and the whole thing was sealed by the government.
Funny how life resembles fiction.
Posted by Mike43 on September 15,2010 | 07:05 PM
My word. U can't make a silly mistake in this day without somebody putting it all over the internet. But U can take a 727 in broad daylight turn off it's lights and transponder and it's invisible. huh. It must be one of those stealth 727.
Well it makes no sense in this day of age, how this happend.
So it sounds like the Government must of had there hands in it. As much as we all trust the worlds Governments. I for one will be keeping my eyes on all big planes going over my head.
Posted by nitram sopmac on September 15,2010 | 07:07 PM
I am so sorry for your lost relative, in seems in the last several years that U.S. government has the hardest time keeping track of planes in this country. Unfortunately this just sounds like another government cover-up. My heart goes out to you and I hope that your father is found alive and well.
Posted by A Haverland on September 15,2010 | 07:07 PM
that seems odd !?! because when the plain was takeing off why didnt they send airforce to look for it (im pretty sure they new were it was too) that WhOLe story sound scetchy
Posted by LUNAA on September 15,2010 | 07:08 PM
Have you ever seen the film Lord of War? The government pays people to do their dirty work. It seems like a cover up and Padilla happen to be a victim of this one.
Posted by William W. on September 15,2010 | 07:08 PM
If it was taxiing erratically and took offwithout lights or transponder, I would say chances are it crashed into the ocean, sounds to me like an inexperienced pilot was at the helm and no good can ever come of that in a jet this large. Maybe it broke up in the air like that Air France did a couple years ago off the coast of Brazil. Sorry about your brother Holly.
Posted by veegee on September 15,2010 | 07:08 PM
Awesome story, would like to hear more about this................so when's the movie coming out?
Posted by C. Morales on September 15,2010 | 07:09 PM
This looks very similiar to a plane that landed on Norman's Cay, Bahamas in the spring of 2003. One of the owners of Wax Cay (flies a v tail Bonanza) mentioned the runway could handle a plane that big, but hadn't heard of it happening before. Never saw it again.
Posted by john on September 15,2010 | 07:10 PM
My sense of the thing says this aircraft was taken for use in covert transport ops, and may be operating in the middle east or some where around the Mediterranean. I would be surprised if it turned out to be an insurance type case.
Posted by Martin Malliett on September 15,2010 | 07:11 PM
If the African goverment or some other goverment downed the Jet while in flight to avoid the possibility of it being used as a manned missle, it is possible they would have kept it quiet. Just a thought. If so I'm sorry for the daughter.
Posted by Mike on September 15,2010 | 07:12 PM
I am sorry to disappoint those who have read this story, and can not believe that a large plane can just disappear. Many planes have done exactly that, and I have personal knowledge of one of them. A friend of my family was in the Army Air Corps in WW2, and served on a large 4 engine bomber, a B17. His aircraft participated in the raid on Schwienfurt Germany, but it never returned to England. We waited throughout the war hoping for some news, but it never came. To this day he and his aircraft are simply missing in action.
Posted by John G Batson on September 15,2010 | 07:13 PM
interesting story. Might make an good movie
Posted by Chris on September 15,2010 | 07:14 PM
How come i havn't heard about this earlier. The woman said she wanted to re-open the case so, this must've happened quiet a while ago. I thought the US Air force has stuff like Global hawks roaming pretty much all the time. How come they didn't respond.
Posted by i am wathin you on September 15,2010 | 07:16 PM
How sad that they said they stop looking. When it comes to corruption they let alot go by. In Chicago there are a bunch of us regular citzens who have been ripped off by the corrupt courts and even though we have concrete proof of these judges racketeering the fbi doesnt want to do a thing about it.Not 1 or 10 people 100's of people have gone to the fbi. Children are being raped, kidnapped and still they do nothing. It has to do with the alderman and the bosses here getting paid to look the other way.These Judges don't even try to hide it,there's many transcripts. People from Pat Fitzgeralds office has told many of us to go to the doj in Washington, so hows that? Keep digging for your father get a private PI, When you cant trust the fbi and they careless about little girls getting raped what can you say?When the top law people tell you to go to Washington to get help-----
Posted by helen on September 15,2010 | 07:17 PM
I don't know what to say. I think that they should have stolen something less noticeable like a Cesna from a small airport or something.
Posted by chris townsend on September 15,2010 | 07:17 PM
people got kill for blood diamonds what makes u think they wouldn't kill for a plane to transport them ? don't take the f.b.i nor the c.i.a to figure out that much that's Africa it's always something being covered up use your brain's somebody got paid enough or the inexperienced pilots took them down
Posted by Danger on September 15,2010 | 07:17 PM
Intuition tells me that Mutantu knows more. They will find a part somewhere with a serial number, or a part that was ordered on paperwork somewhere, and it will belong to this plane. Thats how I believe it will come together in the end.
Posted by Greg on September 15,2010 | 07:18 PM
I HAVE TO AGREE WITH JEFF. PADILLA HAD TO DELIVER THE PLANE AND FIGURED "I KNOW THE BASICS OF FLYING." "LET'S DO IT." BUT I'LL BET THAT 727 LET HIM KNOW BETTER OVER THE OCEAN...
I'M PRETTY SURE HOMELAND KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED AND SAW THAT OIL SLICK ON THE WATER ON THE SATELLITE PHOTOS. IF THAT PLANE HAD LANDED ON SOME ROMOTE ISLAND THAT NEWS WOULD HAVE COME OUT..YOUR RIGHT JEFF. CASE CLOSED.
Posted by DEBI STILES on September 15,2010 | 07:20 PM
It was stolen by two teenagers seeking a joy ride. It's at the bottom of the sea now.
Posted by Jake on September 15,2010 | 07:21 PM
It's unfortunate that, The Freedom of Information Act keeps so much information out of any released reports. A few years ago Jimmy Hoffa's daughter recieved reports that have 98 percent of the words lined out with black marker.
What does that have to do with National Security? The Padilla Family deserves closure.
Posted by Eric Murray on September 15,2010 | 07:21 PM
It's unfortunate that, The Freedom of Information Act keeps so much information out of any released reports. A few years ago Jimmy Hoffa's daughter recieved reports that have 98 percent of the words lined out with black marker.
What does that have to do with National Security? The Padilla Family deserves closure.
Posted by Eric Murray on September 15,2010 | 07:21 PM
Very interesting article.
It sure leaves a lot of questions.
I hope they solve this, but it almost sounds like some people know more than what they are telling.
George Vreeland Hill
Posted by George Vreeland Hill on September 15,2010 | 07:28 PM
Where were US military respondents ? No jets scrambled ?
Why allow something that bizarre happen unchallenged ?
Odd sequence of events for our country to ignore....
Posted by green card on September 15,2010 | 07:28 PM
The erratic taxing and takeoff could be consistent with inexperience with 727's and if the flight path heading was the Atlantic Ocean could it not be conceivable it's at the bottom of said ocean now?
Posted by joe on September 15,2010 | 07:29 PM
norad tracks all planes also iam really stumped at the fact it wasnt forced to land as to the way it tookoff could it be that this was prearranged
for a possiable nuke transport to some us city in the futcher
Posted by micheal d. on September 15,2010 | 07:30 PM
The transponder was off....meaning it was tampered with before takeoff. You can't mess with transponders in commercial aircraft from the cockpit. All that's done outside the bird. I'm thinking it was taken as a new acquisition for Air America.
Posted by Shawn Matthews on September 15,2010 | 07:31 PM
It probably crashed in the ocean, like the Air France plane off of Brazil. If that's the case, it's unlikely to ever be found.
Posted by Richard on September 15,2010 | 07:31 PM
Let's look at the facts. (1)The aircraft was quite old. (2)According to the above report the air worthiness was not 100%.(3) The crew was at best marginally qualified as a whole. (4)The aircraft was observed maneuvering irradically before taking off over a large body of water (Atlantic Ocean) and all of the devices to id and track the aircraft normally were turned off or disengaged. Something happened mechanically or human error caused the aircraft to go down over the Atlantic. After 7 years the chances of finding a clue is nill to none. Look what happened to the Air France Airbuss 330 that went down last year, very little was ever recovered and the location of the vast amount of wreckage is still a mystery.
Posted by Jeff on September 15,2010 | 07:33 PM
Just a thought, But as I recall Valerie Wilson did some work in that area during her career with the CIA. She's in New Mexico now. I wonder if she could shed some light on this. Another theory is that the men were kidnapped and are being made to work in a mine as prisoners.
Posted by Richard Spalding on September 15,2010 | 07:33 PM
cant say whose but i think- govt.
Posted by rc on September 15,2010 | 07:34 PM
Another example of a government cover-up. We have way too much technology.
Posted by Lisa H. on September 15,2010 | 07:35 PM
I have two problems:
(1) The tower actally saw the unauthorized aircraft take off. So why didn't they keep the rig on radar?
(2) And why is it that American Airlines retired three 727s in mint condition? Why not retire the worn-out ones?
Posted by Richard Faramer on September 15,2010 | 07:35 PM
If the engines were salvaged there are a lot of serial numbers on the components people should be looking for
Posted by Peter Davis on September 15,2010 | 07:38 PM
No doubt the CIA is using this plane to run weapons in Africa.
Posted by curious george on September 15,2010 | 07:38 PM
I don't mind saying this is really really scarey because to think that plane just disappeared is beyond incrediable.
I just hope they find this huge plane, the sooner the better that is a fact.
Posted by Carol on September 15,2010 | 07:38 PM
WHY? In this age of technology are aircraft transponders activated by a manual switch (circuit breaker?)? Even a cars headlights come on automatically when the ignition is turned on.
Posted by Rob Wyman on September 15,2010 | 07:38 PM
some people on the ground reported not seeing markings on the planes that hit the towers some say it was not an american airlines plane this would have been the perfect cover because no id of the plane was ever recovered. I think The Bush Administration had advance warning about the crashes long before they happened but needed some excuse to go to war to make it all look good American people would not have been behind him no other way.
Posted by otto on September 15,2010 | 07:39 PM
Take the blinders off people they let it go. it was for tracing purposes and thats why the feds dont give out any info on it. ITS a trace and destroy mission and the owners will be compencated through their insurance. This has Spies written all over it. They set up a a deal to have the plane stolen and then from there they keep following the bird to see where it takes them. And it may have taken them too high and had to disolve the investigation due to pay grade conflicts.
Posted by intel on September 15,2010 | 07:40 PM
This is truely a W.O.W. moment.
However keep the FAITH. Your brother may still be alive. Yuu need to visit some of these people in person and let it happen. Obviously something has not been completely told from the owner and the deal. I would more than likely make contact with the one in jail. Could your brother have a aka name for safety reasons.
Posted by sylvia brooks on September 15,2010 | 07:42 PM
Interesting story ... I wanna know whether they really crashed
Posted by Lita on September 15,2010 | 07:45 PM
I think it is a cover up for something bigger. The government definitely has something to do with it! It's funny how they can see exactly what you're doing and listen to everything you say,when they want, but when it comes to criminals, fugitives, & lost aircraft, they know nothing! How ridiculous!!!
Posted by mari on September 15,2010 | 07:45 PM
Given the size of the plane and the vastness of the Ocean, it may quite well be that whatever happened to this aircraft may not be known ever if at all.
Posted by seany on September 15,2010 | 07:47 PM
Given the size of the plane and the vastness of the Ocean, it may quite well be that whatever happened to this aircraft may not be known ever if at all.
Posted by seany on September 15,2010 | 07:47 PM
Interesting and under the radar story.
Africa is beyond the comprehension of most Westerners. The corruption there is beyond comprehension. Organized crime thrives and even reaches the shores of the USA. (a documentary of roughly 2005 showed organized criminals coming from Nigeria to engage in fraud of Westerners).
Various potentials exist including that the plane was stolen & crashed into the ocean. The theft of the plane for parts was another good potential.
The one thing that people just don't grasp is the danger in Africa. If you don't get shot, you get hacked to death by machete. Even the former "civilized" country of South Africa has now descended into literal anarchy where crime is rampant. One lady interviewed on TV recently requested police assitance after she & her husband suffered a home invasion / burglary / robbery. She told in the interview that "all the police did was fill out a report, steal my husbands wallet, and leave."
Posted by daniel bartfield on September 15,2010 | 07:48 PM
If it crash in the Ocean no one would ever find it.
Posted by Silver Manix on September 15,2010 | 07:50 PM
Never jump to conclusions. If the plane has vanished, then don't asume anything. Planes are worth more in spare parts, then in whole. I should know I hold a FAA A and P, AGI, IGI (NOT FRA 65.83 current, and did I did a 9 year stint in the USN, yes as an Aircraft mechanic.
Posted by thomas on September 15,2010 | 07:53 PM
Tsk tsk ... what greed will get you.
Posted by Joe on September 15,2010 | 07:54 PM
the 9/11 terrorists had no pilot license at all and found their targets. my opinion is it's sitting at the bottom of the ocean.
Posted by bud on September 15,2010 | 07:55 PM
Reads as if it is just right for made for TV movie.
Posted by Bill Adams on September 15,2010 | 07:57 PM
The Risk/Reward factor explains this case as best as need be. The parties involved were well aware of the risk involved with doing business in third world dumps and apparently became the victims of the risk elements. Outside the three of four relatives, an insurance company claims adjuster and the shear novelty of the planes size compared to other planes that have disappeared, who really cares and why would it be worthy of a 5-page article other than to hone someones writing skills? My sympathy to the family, but this case looks like a final chapter.
Posted by Fred O'Donald on September 15,2010 | 07:59 PM
I do not understand: How can a giant, boeing 727 just disappear in midair and never be seen again? My theory: Something was on that plane, and the government knows what/where it is.
Posted by Ryan on September 15,2010 | 08:01 PM
As usual there are some jerks that have to spew at the mouth.
Regardless of what actually did happen, there is a daughter who is obviously involved with the comments of this story.
And for anyone to say its at the bottom of the ocean, or when is the movie coming out?, and anything else terrible like that, you couple of people make me sick.
Posted by none on September 15,2010 | 08:03 PM
International Theives...Someone watched Ocean's 11 too many times
Posted by Scott S on September 15,2010 | 08:04 PM
So, the guys could not fly. Did they know how to land? Where could they land? Where were they allowed to land? Did they have enough fuel to get to where they were going?
Posted by Delilah on September 15,2010 | 08:05 PM
Holly sorry to hear about what happened. I hope in due time you and your family can feel a little bit better in life. One thing i would have to say is certain parts of our great nation do some really shady things to keep this country as a super power. I just hope one day your father is returned to you and your family. Don't give up something has to give sooner then you think.
Posted by Ray A. on September 15,2010 | 08:07 PM
Sounds like something right out of a movie.
Posted by Charlie on September 15,2010 | 08:08 PM
This tears your heart to pieces. To have to wonder day in and day out where your loved one is. The imagination runs wild. I have never heard thid in the news. I am asking God to give this family some relief. We would like all matters that they are confronting to be positive, however, the final solution is in God's hands. His will has to be done. I have a missing family member and we have not seen him in over fifteen years. God bless and good luck.
Posted by Gladys Samuel on September 15,2010 | 08:08 PM
It would not be impossible to have this type of plane stolen professionally, the most likely way to accomplish this is to have a buyer supply the pilots and crew with the knowhow. So the real question is What international registration, or national registration showed new aircraft of this type being either commisioned, or decommisioned, or registered for use within 6 months post or prior to the dissapearence? And what might differentiate these craft from another of similar make? This isn't rocket science after all.
Posted by Brian on September 15,2010 | 08:09 PM
The author W.E.B.Griffin wrote an on going story line using the same premise.He has written several story lines and i cannot off hand recall which story,but it is almost identical,with just the names changed,but they still used a 727 out of Quatro de Fevereiro Aeroporto Internacional Airport in Luanda,Angola.They even include a map of Africa with Angola and Luanda.The name of the story is By Order of The President within The series A Presidential Agent Novel.
They describe a scenio that could have happened.
Posted by Deadman on September 15,2010 | 08:10 PM
This may have happened during Bush's term, but I just know there are some people even blaming this on Obama.
Posted by DarkQ on September 15,2010 | 08:10 PM
I'm so sorry for the losses here. This would indeed make a great movie--hopefully with a happy ending, though!!
Posted by Lynn on September 15,2010 | 08:11 PM
Interesting and somewhat frightening. Using common sense assumption (and we all know the saying about assumptions, but still) either it crashed and case closed or was shot down as a terrist threat by the US military or has been stolen and is in fact being used for no good. I would keep an eye out for this sucker to be a transport of nukes or a lessor form of terrist attack against US interests. Perhaps this is how Iran intends to take out Isreal? Or maybe drug runners are doing their thing with it. For sure i know that planes no longer fly with out a constant satalite survalence on them and the CIA, FBI, NASA, and National Security are more than aware of how when and where this plane has disappeared. THEY KNOW WHERE IT WENT. Don't be a child in such things people. America is not as full of dummies as some people would have us believe.
Posted by The Eye in the Sky on September 15,2010 | 08:14 PM
Kaddafi's smart. He's playing the old, "I got everyone to look" game. The people on the plane are fine. Why everyone in the U.S. took the bait I don't know. And why Mr. Wright dropped dimes, I also don't know. Horn of Africa is to Mogadishu what Laos is to Hanoi.
Posted by Stephen on September 15,2010 | 08:15 PM
Could have been a fuel laden flying bomb? Sounds a little familiar... Maybe it still is.
Posted by pj on September 15,2010 | 08:15 PM
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family left behind. I fear that if no one has heard from your father in all of these years, it doesn't look good for his return. Keep your memories of your times with him close to your heart.
Posted by Karen on September 15,2010 | 08:16 PM
Not to get off the subject,but Tom Clancy wrote a book describing somebody crashing a commercial jet into a government building in Washington,D.C.
Posted by Deadman on September 15,2010 | 08:16 PM
I say keep searching and asking questions. Someone knows. He might be alive , so keep checking. Let everyone know until you get the answer.
Posted by Diane Hinkle on September 15,2010 | 08:18 PM
That plane is in Nigeria. Believe me.
Posted by Joe Yakubu on September 15,2010 | 08:22 PM
The prosecutor is right, no question, to much planning and attention to detail. Insurance fraud, and a new life all rolled up into one, welcome to the Seychelles islands my little friend and his big aircraft. Maybe he called Vestco for instructions. lol. I agree with the prosecutor no question.
JW
Posted by Jeff Whitacre on September 15,2010 | 08:23 PM
So why did Padilla stay so much longer than anyone else? Perhaps he was an informant for U.S. intelligence? Seems like the rest of the crew bailed as soon as possible. Money or intelligence was the only reason to stick around. No doubt there is a huge black market for all kinds of things there including smuggling ordinary goods to avoid the large tariffs. I hope our government knows more and I wish the best to the family in uncovering as much evidence as possible.
Posted by Richard T on September 15,2010 | 08:24 PM
one hell of a story.thanks for printing it.good luck to the family.
Posted by tom blackwelder on September 15,2010 | 08:24 PM
The individual's on the plane were what I would term as 'fall guys'...sounds to me like everyone around Padilla was 'dirty'
Padilla's family has every right to know the answers.....especially when high ranking government officials use 'national security concerns' as a response...that's their typical use of what I call the 'get out of jail for free' card...the aircraft's cargo was of extreme significance to someone or had someone's 'dirty laundry'...
To Benita........read this article if you haven't already:
http://www.iasa.com.au/folders/Security_Issues/727disappears.html
pressure the hell out of Aerospace Sales and Leasing....their execs sound as dirty as Enron's and if the government steps in again...you can pretty much figure out what happened
Posted by bob on September 15,2010 | 08:25 PM
Work it like you would work any case of fallen aircraft. Find the Black Box!
Posted by H on September 15,2010 | 08:25 PM
This story is crazy. I am sorry for those who feel the plane has crashed. If it was a loved one of mine that went missing I wouldn't think that way. The plane could have taxied wrecklessly due to a number of reasons. Were they in a hurry to get up in the air, nervous, have u ever witnessed someone when they are stealing something. Tendency to get nervous and shaky is an understatement. They made it wherever they were going. Someone has a lot of money to keep the plane hidden, or maybe its right under our noses at an airport near you. :)
Posted by Nick B on September 15,2010 | 08:27 PM
I think Padilla was in on it. He settled his affairs before he went overseas, drew up a will and took care of his family before he left. He knew he was not coming back. Follow the money trail people....
Posted by bob sagat on September 15,2010 | 08:28 PM
I hope your lost relative is found safe and well. This story sounds fishy. Someone knows something.
Posted by terri e on September 15,2010 | 08:31 PM
Sad to see the loss of an innocent person. But an inexperienced pilot flying a 727 is just not a good thing, and his chance of survival is slim at best... but "could" be done.
My gut feeling that there was some real pressure to launch, and the results were a crash out at sea where the plane would never be found.
I've got a lot of 727 time and it would be a real challenge without "some" basic instruction.
Posted by steve smith on September 15,2010 | 08:31 PM
It's been a long time for me as an air force air traffic controller but unless my memory is off and it can be but you just can't turn off the marker lights and transponder, landing lights? yes The two aforementioned items are like turning the key on your car and they're on so the only way they were off was by being snipped by someone who knew the planes wiring. Maybe a flight engineer? Who knows it better?
Posted by don on September 15,2010 | 08:32 PM
Flying bomb? This airplanes fuel tanks usually holds substantially more than what is described by the fuel containers ! 9-11 remember ?
Posted by Carsten on September 15,2010 | 08:32 PM
im sorry but we are the us... if a plane that big took off without clearance we have jets that would put that thing to shame... and would be on that things tell to find out whats up, find out where its going, or shoot it down... sound like the tower didnt tell no one til it was to late
Posted by michael on September 15,2010 | 08:39 PM
Either way people are still missing...Large planes just don't vanish.....
Posted by David Williams on September 15,2010 | 08:39 PM
This story sounds like a movie that I've seen........Maybe not but I don't remember hearing anything about this plane dissappearing in 2003. The question that I would like to know is why didn't the FBI arrest anybody and if they had anybody where are they? Their is no way that a plane that big can can fly off the runway without anybody seeing or hearing it? Maybe It's an inside job and their not telling. Eventually it will come out and everybody will know about it.
Posted by Mrs Piggy on September 15,2010 | 08:41 PM
where ever it is, it would be something the terriosts would want.Large fuel storage tanks.It's probably hidden and waiting to hit the next tower in the US.
Posted by Lee Dannhaus on September 15,2010 | 08:41 PM
Remember September 11th and the large plane that hit the ground in Pennsylvania when the brave crew overturned the terrorist attack. Remember the video feed on the news, there was nothing left of that plane, a burn spot in the grass. I’m thinking this plane met the same fate, burn spot in Africa or Bermuda Triangle…
Posted by Ben on September 15,2010 | 08:42 PM
Whatever happened to the plane, I hope they are all alive and come home to their families soon.
Posted by U. Rosal III on September 15,2010 | 08:42 PM
I have lived and worked in Sub-Sarahan Arica. Never again
Posted by Norm on September 15,2010 | 08:43 PM
That whole continent is loaded with stories of deals gone bad and equipment and material "disappearing" Won't be the last time something like this happens.
Posted by Sha Ali on September 15,2010 | 08:43 PM
just have someone go down and check out the local airstrips in Burdini. The engines will be gone, the the carcus will probably still be there. Can't be that many, and you could survail it all by helicopter.
Posted by rod kreinbrink on September 15,2010 | 08:43 PM
NASA does have the technology to find not only missing planes, but humans as well. The military has used this technology for years. They can use real time and stored imaging satellite photos. You would be surprised what they already have. I was able to find an aerial satellite photo of my own home online.
Why is this technology not being used to the extent it could be to not only reduce crime, but also protect our borders? Contact your local representatives and ASK. Your tax payer money pays for this technology.
Posted by sue on September 15,2010 | 08:43 PM
Check the airports in Colombia with storage hangers.
Posted by Donny Davis on September 15,2010 | 08:45 PM
Angolian mechanics? They needed the fuel so they decided to force Padilla and his helper to fly to the diamond mines.
Once they arrived ....These people killed anyone who stood in thier way. If they arrived? He may have flew into the Atlantic to stop them. Perhaps he died a hero.
Posted by hugh holt on September 15,2010 | 08:48 PM
The last sentence hit home for me, being with AA for 25 yrs. in Maint. "“American Airlines had a very good maintenance program.” Had, being the important part......
I remember these aircraft well! and Yes AA HAD a very good maint. program....
Posted by Ken Menees on September 15,2010 | 08:48 PM
it makes u wonder if terrerist have acually made a plane that has a tube big enough for a group of armed men to take over while the plane was flying
Posted by on September 15,2010 | 08:49 PM
Lets hope that they are still alive and the investigators will come up with something.
Posted by Onam Bonnie on September 15,2010 | 08:54 PM
Try using the help of a remote viewer. These people can find things and people that haven't been found or can't be found. That's the way I would go, it sounds wacky but hey i our own Goverment has remote viewers and funded programs related to it. Only hope I can give. =0)
Posted by Eddie on September 15,2010 | 08:55 PM
Bottom line...if it crashed or was shot down, everyone aboard perished, why would the Govn't cover that up?!? Why hide it from a FOIA?
Posted by Bill on September 15,2010 | 08:56 PM
I believe somebody hi-jacked the airplane.thank you
Posted by nick on September 15,2010 | 08:56 PM
There is surely more than is revealed to the public. A licensed private pilot without a type rating (or at least training) in the 727 would never attempt to fly a 727, especially out over the Atlantic without a flight plan (things just go bump in the night without proper separation) or being forced to attempt it. That is just suicide (which I suppose could be possible, but there are better ways to do that). Either he or someone else knew how to fly that type. Whether he or the other person had training is tracable, which the authorities would have checked out and yet they have refused to release that info....can we say cover-up? Someone doesn't want us to know something....
Posted by Mark on September 15,2010 | 08:57 PM
Good article but I get so damn tired of Govt. agencies citing "Nat'l Security Concerns" every time they don't want to talk... What security concern from the missing plane unless they were involved. I tend to believe the nat'l security concern is sometimes to cover their own as, not ours....
Posted by StephenD on September 15,2010 | 08:57 PM
Let me just say, it was either an insurance job or they stole the plane and took the engines off and disassembled them to sell parts out of it. Most of the people mentioned in this story were not nice people.....
Posted by john on September 15,2010 | 09:00 PM
LOL Wow...You'll be tracked down and found if you steal a Flat screen T.V., or a car, or a lap top. But they can't find one of the largest aircraft every built?..LOL
Posted by Pete Vilareal on September 15,2010 | 09:01 PM
Funny,I was there in Luanda that night as air crew.
Found out about it the next day,as people in our consolate office queryed us.
Still think it was a re-po but that's all i know.
Got out of that crap hole later that month.J B
Posted by joe bazzatts on September 15,2010 | 09:01 PM
You might be surprised how easy it is to fly a illegal airplane. Change the tail number,fake some papers and it could fly in 90% of the world.
Posted by dick martin on September 15,2010 | 09:03 PM
See Steve Martini's "Rule of Nine". (a good read) Maybe transponders should be on any time engines run. Some 727s' engines can be started without ground support- was this one of them??
Posted by ed clement on September 15,2010 | 09:04 PM
I realy hope this guy is alive.
Keep praying to god Holley Padilla
Posted by Onassis Forteza on September 15,2010 | 09:05 PM
Not surprising - typical of some African conduct. I grew up in SA witnessed the Angolan/SWAPO war and lost friends to that worthless cause. Most Americans have no idea what really goes on in Africa, and that there have been troops stationed there during the 70's. African sruples are not the same as the West. Life is cheap, they live for today, to heck with tomorrow.Plane probably was stolen taken to Western Africa,the 2 guys murdered and thrown over board in the jungles of Africa somewhere. Thats Africa!
Posted by cag on September 15,2010 | 09:05 PM
If nefarious pilots were on the plane and hijacked it the smart thing to do would be to taxi off impractically and imply it was inexperienced pilots at the wheel, good movie material but real life stuff too - none of the clues related here sum anything concrete up for me - would need to see better facts and identifiable remains of the plane to believe it crashed ...
Posted by rm on September 15,2010 | 09:05 PM
Was this a possible security threat and was shot down by military?
Posted by Craig Goetsch on September 15,2010 | 09:07 PM
This an interesting case that needs to be solved. The US government doesn't with cases like these they're so stupid. They tell you one thing today and then when u go back the next day they tell you another one. This is supposed to be a country of the people by the people and they don't do something like reopening a case like this when there is more info about it. I can even bet they didn't even look for the plane. Padilla family stick together and you will find him.
Posted by Allen on September 15,2010 | 09:07 PM
This is the kind of story that deserves to be made into a movie
Posted by DMoney on September 15,2010 | 09:08 PM
Sounds like a job for the A-Team or a job they pulled off but their just fictional silver screen characters. If Mr.Padilla's alive he should have found away to let family members know he's alive. Don't give up hope. Depending on the type of aircraft the country has if it was reported immediately they should locate force to land or shot it down.
This Mantantu fellow is in jail and he was aboard as someone posted previously he's has some explaining to do. Florida Aviation companies and some big lettered firm in Langley,Virginia usually have more in common than you and I will ever find out. If we found out we'd be sorry or so happy to still be alive a snowball have a better chance of staying frozen in Hell before we'd ever consider talking about it.
Posted by dieselis on September 15,2010 | 09:08 PM
I just read "by the order of the president" by WEB Griffin. 2004 Im guessing he used this as his story line. Made a great book. Just blows me away it was based on actual events.
Posted by Noah on September 15,2010 | 09:09 PM
it look,s to me like in this day and time they could make it so if the transponder is turned off that the air plane wont fly or at least the engines wont start????.
Posted by Hulett Jack Glover Jr. on September 15,2010 | 09:10 PM
A fuel transporting 727 with unknown: destination, cargo, pilots, purpose, and no communication. Hm....
After the threat was secured.
Now, how did they find out after that there was a destination, cargo, pilots purpose, and plenty of communication on the way to the destination??
Posted by Josh on September 15,2010 | 09:10 PM
If alquida got this jet loaded with gasoline
it would have surely make a very bad mess if
they suicide crash it. Picture 911 40 times
worse
Posted by thumper on September 15,2010 | 09:11 PM
What can anyone say, a 727 aircraft takes off with no clearance, no flight plan, seems a little fishy. There is more to this than meets the eye. Just how do you lose a 727 aircraft.I would believe there definely some foul play. I guess when you are doing business with a 3rd world country anything is possible. I think there is a coverup, it's been done before. My concern is not the aircraft, but for the flight crew and their families.Sooner or later the facts will begin to come out. Great,story hope to hear more on this subject.
Posted by Butch Circello on September 15,2010 | 09:12 PM
Great story but you don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that if something very valuable is going to Africa while being watched over by a white guy, it isn't going to end well for him.
Posted by Digital Bob on September 15,2010 | 09:13 PM
looks like someone needed a story and read the latest issue of Air and Space. Seven years later... way to be on the ball.
Posted by m devine on September 15,2010 | 09:13 PM
whether make up or truthful ,it is sad to learn about this story, big fish always use the weak to do risky tasks and constantly assuring the weak that they will be protected it looks as though the two men were made to ,under pressure .If the two men are well and breathing freely, big up. If not may they rest in peace and my condolences to the families that have lost there dear ones.
Posted by Mwansa on September 15,2010 | 09:13 PM
This is a very interesting story and I also never heard of this incident back in 2003. With such a high dollar amount, you can't deny that the government definitely had something to do with this disappearance. We all know that the media only posts what they want us (the American People) to know. And besides, with our evolving technology, how is it that NASA was unable to image with their billion dollar satellites? Uh, Hello? Apparently, Padilla was insignificant and not important enough for the top agencies to get involved---to find an ordinary man. He has a family, and whether it's one, two, or three families in different parts of the world, those children and grandchildren deserve to know the truth!
Posted by Maria on September 15,2010 | 09:14 PM
I speculate it was stolen for one reason or another, that the 2 men were in the wrong place at the wrong time, that the government shot it down. They're keeping their mouths shut because they don't want it publicly known that they have civilian blood on their hands.
Posted by Kenneth Wright on September 15,2010 | 09:14 PM
Stuff that makes a great suspense movie. Besides, it sure looks like money is what moves people to get involved in crazy ventures.
Posted by Regie Butscher on September 15,2010 | 09:15 PM
Well, now we know how the writers of Lost got their ideas.
Posted by katie on September 15,2010 | 09:15 PM
http://www.flyafrica.info/forums/showthread.php?t=30572
Posted by on September 15,2010 | 09:16 PM
Great airplane 727. Very reliable.
Posted by airlift123 on September 15,2010 | 09:16 PM
My guess is below:
1.) CIA,FBI and other security agency cover up this issue for some really big matter that might trigger another war bet. countries or might endanger million of people.
2.) The owner might set this up for insurance money or vise versa.
3.) How come this is not been trace? Why not used satellite to track this plane? Anyway, I think if CIA and other security agency can't track this this might be some terrorist agenda or something..Hope that this might not be the weapon in another 9/11 attack...
For all Agency, pls help to make sure that this will not cause another WW in the future....
Posted by Naru on September 15,2010 | 09:16 PM
Actually it kinda looks like one that crashed into the WTC. Maybe remote controlled?
Posted by Danny B on September 15,2010 | 09:16 PM
Last seen headed out over the Alantic Ocean. Hey, maybe it crashed in the ocean, never to be seen again, duh!
Posted by on September 15,2010 | 09:22 PM
Your dad was probably flying the plane, inexperience would explain the erratic turning on the runway, kind of like driving a bus for the first time. He probably made it to wherever they were going. It would be convenient to say its in the ocean but I would not be so sure, those large aircraft mostly crash on takeoff and landing, if he took off, which he did, he probably flew it just fine to the destination.
On the other hand, the plane having all of its ident shut down could and would cause a low level military to shoot it down and ask questions later, if they flew over a wrong area (like say he got lost) there is a good chance that could happen.
I hope the truth comes out one day and I wish you luck finding your dad.
Posted by V on September 15,2010 | 09:23 PM
To correct page 1, paragraph 6, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency employs analysts, not "technicians", and the correct acronym for the agency is NGA, not "NGIA".
Posted by Don on September 15,2010 | 09:23 PM
I think it started as a Isurance Job and just got in to deep by not paying anyone for anything.It just turned into a flat out out Robbery!
That Pidilla dude had another family over there, And didn't pay for anything!!!! Why on earth would he pay for a plane he allready had... Why is this such a big storie, That guy Just had a great line of stuff and they all bought it, And I bet that plane is still running over there with a different paint job. The Man is a crook Plain and simple.
Posted by Sande Accurso on September 15,2010 | 09:23 PM
Isn't it that military intelligence can monitor everything
just like what is shown in the big screen. why cant they on
this huge 727...
Posted by Jedd Pasilan on September 15,2010 | 09:23 PM
Wow, amazing story. Thank you for including the details.
Posted by Georgia on September 15,2010 | 09:24 PM
Can't wait for the movie to come out!
Posted by Daniel on September 15,2010 | 09:24 PM
Sounds EXACTLY like something I read in one of W.E.B. Griffin's books.
Posted by Leon R on September 15,2010 | 09:24 PM
There are some amazing theories and speculation to this mystery. I hope that someday we will find the real answer and that Mr Padilla gets home to his family.
Posted by Paul on September 15,2010 | 09:24 PM
It is a real shame with all the technology, experience & the intelligence of FBI, CIA, NASA or others cant find what happened to the Plane. Seems some very powerfully party doesn't want it known. Wish the daughter finds the truth some day. Would be a good Movie with the true ending.Wish it would be a happy one.
Posted by anton fernando on September 15,2010 | 09:24 PM
Now I understand where WEB Griffin got his plot line for "By Order if the President" Book series. The first book is almost to the "T" with this story.
Posted by James B on September 15,2010 | 09:27 PM
I would love to help find the plane and Ben, but I'm only 17. Not sure what I can do right now.
Posted by Taylor Jayde on September 15,2010 | 09:28 PM
Sounds like a government cover up to me. Why else would they just all of a sudden drop the search.
Posted by jason on September 15,2010 | 09:28 PM
WOW such a huge plane most likely if neither claim they didn't have experience flying someone or both were lying - hey, they got it off the runway and in the air mmmmm strange and his sister after seven years wants them to re-open this wake up lady they already know what happened and aren't about to tell you or the public
Posted by Rusty on September 15,2010 | 09:28 PM
Tim,
Great story. This would make an excellent film.
Posted by Gavin on September 15,2010 | 09:28 PM
It was shot down.
Posted by owner2112 on September 15,2010 | 09:29 PM
I think that there was a secret plan behind all this. It would be amazng to find out where the aircraft is, or whatever happened to it. This article is amazing and it makes me all jumpy. I agree with Stosh P. it choul've flew in the bermuda triangle and disappered like all the other air crafts and ships.
Posted by Tom on September 15,2010 | 09:30 PM
No offense, but prosecutors see a crime everywhere, they are paid to get convictions, not the truth. They lie and cheat and do what it takes usually with no regard for the facts. No offense, but you being a prosecutor does not mean you know squat about international affairs.
Any rookie first year spook knows you can hide a plane in downtown Las Vegas and no one will be the wiser. It is easy to manifest parts, saying you got this part used and then all you have to do is switch out the avionics and the IFF equipment and/or squawk box.
Part 2 will not be insurance fraud, part 2 will be a by line when that plane comes back to haunt us. The FBI screwed up 9/11, they will screw this up too. How many will die this time?
Posted by John Blooballs on September 15,2010 | 09:30 PM
It's possible that it was insurance fraud but I'm thinking that they crashed into the Atlantic Ocean due to the pilot's lack of experience (and not having a full flight crew).
The other scenario is obvious, the plane plotted a course for a major U.S. city and the Department of Homeland Security politely asks the Air Force to intercept and engage the aircraft.
This would of course be highly classified and most likely a government cover-up operation.
Only two years after 9/11? No need to take chances with someone stealing a 727 filled with tanks of Diesel (or something else perhaps).
But again, crashed in the Atlantic most likely... ; )
Posted by David B. on September 15,2010 | 09:30 PM
Movie, movie, starring Bruce Willis, John Travolta, Denzel Washington and Will Smith, definitely a BLOCKBUSTER.
Amazing story, and the writer sure had to do a lot of work researching for these facts over these years.
Posted by Colonel Terry on September 15,2010 | 09:31 PM
i guess the plane is intact, being used for "black-ops" somewhere in the world. the insurance claim is probably a ploy to mislead the public. very interesting indeed and we will not be surprised if the plane turned out in wrong hands!
Posted by Arnel Van V. Aleligay on September 15,2010 | 09:34 PM
I also extend my sympathy and wishes for an incredible safe return of the missing men to their families. It was a very well written and researched story, also very sobering that in these of heightened security and surveillance -- apparently --
none of our highly trained and impressively equipped agencies have any idea what happened. That there are many possible scenarios seems to deepen the mystery when the ultimate answer will probably prove to be as simple and sad as a crash either as a result of untrained and undermanned crew or one of many equipment failures likely under the circumstances.
Posted by jeffmchpn on September 15,2010 | 09:34 PM
my theory...is that the plane was auto-pilotted as an anti-terrorist test, to crash, without the pilots knowing. no offense to the family, my condolences. but if the govt seriously does not know where they are then only God knows now.
Posted by the kou on September 15,2010 | 09:36 PM
What kind of private pilot's license did he have?
IFR? VFR? MULTI-Engine?
How many hours did he have in his log book?
Without this information, it is difficult to determine if the pilot had sufficient experience and or knowledge on how to fly a commercial jet airliner.
Very poor reporting indeed...
jim
Posted by Jim on September 15,2010 | 09:37 PM
this is a really interesting case and it would be a lot bigger news if the plane was found and you had an article on that, nice article though. i really like it.
Posted by ramen on September 15,2010 | 09:37 PM
I assume it was night when they took off since they turned their lights off. Being dark outside and the 2 people aboard didn't appear to be fully trained, I'd say they flew it right into the water without knowing they were going down. Same thing happened with the Kennedy that crashed his plane in the fog. He wasn't fully educated on how to fly by insturments and couldn't see that he was flying right into the water. I'd say that's what happened here. BUT, there is always the possibility of mechanical failure too. Most likely crashed due to inexperienced operators trying to fly at night.
Posted by Dustin Proffitt on September 15,2010 | 09:38 PM
that is great it show you can take what you want amd the people will never find it ??? but the people who took the plane sholud nahve to pay for all the damages they have caused. plus spend some time in the big house...
Posted by zack martin on September 15,2010 | 09:38 PM
Contact the Russians, they will probably sell you their Geospatial info. That how the US decided to unclasify a majority of our Aerial/Geospatial pics & info (this was in the work, years ago, so the US released the info before the soviets could release theirs.
Posted by Another Option on September 15,2010 | 09:38 PM
nice job at covering up, you folks at the CIA.
Posted by james on September 15,2010 | 09:39 PM
Such a large plane could not fly below the radar, someone must have seen when it disapear form the radar. A suspicious case.
Posted by on September 15,2010 | 09:39 PM
Stranger than fiction. But thank God, there is no human affair undertaken under this earth that is hidden from God, and nothing will remain a mystery forever except Him alone. I strongly believe that the full story, indeed the true story will be revealed - at God's time and for His glory. I believe my Christian faith that teaches me that insecurity is not the presence of dangers in our affairs but the absence of Jesus Christ in our lives. I feel for the families.
Posted by Edu Asinu on September 15,2010 | 09:40 PM
how do we know it didn't crash? how do we know it's not like 9/11? how do we know it didn't blow up? i would be extremly surprised that the plane came back soon.
Posted by Tom on September 15,2010 | 09:40 PM
Regarding those that suggested a movie. I agree. Why not? We really do need an airline movie with a different script here. The others simply got boring, overdone.
The story above simply states both men couldn't fly a plane of this magnitude. With no communications (a good question as to why, which we'll never know) just where this plane wound up. If "bad guys" were already in it, how did they get in there without anyone knowing? If not, I bet the plane crashed someplace over the ocean, where no one was around to see it. What was the two men's background and stat sheet? That I'd love to read about.
C'mon Hollywood...there's a script being written here. Jump on it! Most movies today aren't worth the price of admission!
Posted by Steve Sobel on September 15,2010 | 09:40 PM
Now I know were W.E.B. Giffin got his story line for his book By Order Of The President. Or did somebody get the idea of taking this plane from the book??????????Since I cant find my copy of the book I am unable to check date published, and Im to lazy today to do internet search....
Posted by Jay A on September 15,2010 | 09:42 PM
Obviously, it was a win-win situation. First the pilot was working for a group of people who stole the plane to a foreign country i guess in Africa for big bucks.
And then, the owners of the plane can collect the insurance for their loss.
You got to love it.
Posted by George on September 15,2010 | 09:42 PM
We knew @ blackwater before this ever happend
Posted by helper on September 15,2010 | 09:42 PM
Probably our dear old government.
Posted by Nick on September 15,2010 | 09:43 PM
i agree it's at the bottom of the ocean. I'm sorry holly about your loss. try to think of a bright side.
Posted by Tom on September 15,2010 | 09:44 PM
A very interesting story indeed. I really feel sorry for Hollys' loss. would it be possible for something to have taken place inside of the cockpit when the plane was taxiing eratically? Could the plane have been hi-jacked? Were the fuel tanks in the cabin full at this time? Thank you Chuck T.
Posted by chuck thompson on September 15,2010 | 09:45 PM
I would guess the 727 is hiding in plain sight or has a new life as spare parts.
Posted by Mike H on September 15,2010 | 09:45 PM
I like the article. I thought for a while that i was going through a novel. Greatly written.
Posted by Jon Shrestha on September 15,2010 | 09:45 PM
Noone is going to risk lives AND government security for an insurance claim?! Dont you get it... The type of aircraft was used to transport fuel and or cargo. This would be a useful piece for any terrorist. They realized how poorly this plane was managed and saw the fact that the handler would take such risky jobs. It was all to easy. The workers were just pawns. In my mind there is no doubt this plane was bought and sold, and i don't think for one second that this plane would have just crashed. Believe me they(the government) know exactly where this plane is through satellites, and spies. This plane played a small role in a big show.
The fact that the government didn't release any indication of the event is no surprise and it happens everyday! Think about it. The press would be the first people to blow the lid off the operation.
I have a friend who is a Air Marshal. When somone boards a plane that is on a "watch list" they dont throw them off the plane and arrest them...! They follow them and gain further contact information. The next time you hear an announcment over the intercom asking for anyone to give up seats by volunteer... You better just do it and take the next flight!!! F>Y>I> If you know what I mean...
Posted by Kris on September 15,2010 | 09:46 PM
This should be investigated by either NatGeo or Discovery. Unveilling mysteries are their specialty... Looking forward seeing the investigation on the TV in the near future...
Posted by Ronnie on September 15,2010 | 09:48 PM
Oh Dont worry we will all find that plane soon when it crashes into a building somewhere here in the U.S.
Think about it!
Posted by Dirk on September 15,2010 | 09:49 PM
People are saying it is an interesting article, but I think it is a terrible tragedy. My hope is that Mr. Padilla is safe and alive, but my fear is that someone let greed for money put peoples lives at risk. There is always someone that knows something... I just wish people would let their heart win out over money. Someone needs to come forward and tell the story and people need to protect that person. This is tragic and, unfortunately, more and more common. I wish I could help... Isn't it about time we start trying to help?
The FBI and/or CIA knows something. It seems impossible to lose a plane that size when cameras from space can read a license plate on a car, GPS can track it too and I am sure radar is worldwide by now.
Posted by Richard Boudewijn on September 15,2010 | 09:50 PM
Surprised it's not been made into a movie yet. Kinda in the format of "Black Hawk Down"
Posted by Fred Garvin on September 15,2010 | 09:51 PM
I believe ethier the cia or fbi knows more than they are saying, I pray that Holley Padilla's father is alive some place and he is not being torture by anyone. But somewhere there is someone who knows more about this. But I am afraid we will never know what really happen.
Posted by Timbo on September 15,2010 | 09:53 PM
I thought people in the diamond and "BLACK DIAMOND" buisness had plenty of money to buy a whole fleet of airplanes with flight crew included. That had to be a insurance scam.
Posted by RICARDO LESTEIRO on September 15,2010 | 09:54 PM
I thought people in the diamond and "BLACK DIAMOND" buisness had plenty of money to buy a whole fleet of airplanes with flight crew included. That had to be a insurance scam.
Posted by RICARDO LESTEIRO on September 15,2010 | 09:54 PM
As if the FBI, CIA, etc...does not know what the hell happened. Let's get real.
Posted by Sophia on September 15,2010 | 09:54 PM
great news.... worse reality!!!!
Posted by oslo on September 15,2010 | 09:55 PM
.I do not remeber hearing/reading about this. Would the news media Not have information regarding this story I wonder?
Posted by James Flynn on September 15,2010 | 09:56 PM
this plane has been conceal for an evil purpose please be on the look out for this particular type off plane i think they will try and take one just like the one that's missing
Posted by jorge on September 15,2010 | 09:56 PM
Sad story for the Family , I do hope you find your father one day .
Posted by Luke Clark on September 15,2010 | 09:56 PM
no things kept hidden, and no hidden things will remain unrevealed! gather all information, study' apply all the plan developed. i know that the US Gov. have done all of this possible action. i know its hard' to have a lost relative it feels sad' specially when you think happy moments shared with them. Sad but true. but the truth will set you free.
Posted by Christopher on September 15,2010 | 09:58 PM
Regards to all friends and family Holley....a dream come true if your dad is able to come home....fasinating read and I will try to learn more....Best bet is that one of these above posts are correct....several possibilities. Have a nice day
Posted by john on September 15,2010 | 09:58 PM
Good story, hears a few questions: did anyone check the fuel co who refueled it, how much fuel did it have, what is the range of that fuel, once you know and figured the mileage draw a circle on a map, its some where in that circle. proberbly where the plane can be refueled.
all engines have numbers on them, mechanics know where to look so if the plane had been butchered for the good engines, they were proberbly bought by some dirt bag outfit who would never report the engine change to authorities , however ins co would have a record of engine changes and their numbers in order to identify it was their insured plane, especially in plane crashes where there is hardly anything left, the engines usually survive with the number, Africa! proberbly a central Ins agency, once you have the engine # go to insurance co's and ask to look for Ins policies for the same type of plane that uses those engines, look for engine changes and matching numbers, or engine parts suppliers that usually need the engine # in order to give them the right part,
if the plane crashed at sea with no evidence, no payoff,
if the plane crashed on land and was found, who got the insurance payout? also the insurance co could have sold the policy to a re-insurance co?.
Posted by pagan on September 15,2010 | 10:01 PM
I am really sorry for the padillas family,but I feel even
more shame for the people that make fun,from anothers people
grief.
Posted by Roberto vasquez on September 15,2010 | 10:01 PM
My heart goes out to the family ... don't stop praying to find your dad. God is bigger than this missing plane and a missing dad!! Nothing is too hard for God :)
Posted by sonshine on September 15,2010 | 10:01 PM
I also find it interesting that there were no news reports about this at the time...You would think with all the national security issues we had at that time with the close proximity to 9/11/01, if there wasn't some consperacy there would have been something in the news somewhere about this. The ''hush hush'' is very suspicious.
I wish you all the luck Holly in learning the truth ! ! !
Posted by walter williams on September 15,2010 | 10:02 PM
They're all in on it sorry to say Mrs Padilla, including your father. Thats how it would appear. I would assume they all seen a chance of making some good money, probably rather quickly, all off the books, in cash, possibly even U.S. dollars, and they took it. It had decent chances of success, especially seeing how much fuel it was carrying, with a skilled enough crew it could go anywhere in the world. Two things, one, they're not a skilled crew, and probably didnt make it too far out over the ocean and realized that alot of things needed to be done to keep it in the air, and they failed to do that, and there is no where in the world our sattelites, drones, military, ship radar, surface radar, etc dont pick up. Thats our strong suit, only matched by the Chinese Military. We most likely spotted signs of wreckage or watched it crash not long after taking off. Another option, and just as likely, would be that U.S. jets were scrambled rather quickly after the plane was picked up on radar flying towards any number of allies or enemy countrys, and the President ordered it shot down before it reached over land and caused a serious incident, international or domestic. If we shot it down, we probably wont say for a long time to come if we say at all. If it crashed on its own, and we know about it, which we probably do, i dont know why they wouldnt say so, and if it was sucessfully stolen, and landed somewhere, we could just be watching it overhead with a dedicated sattelite and waiting for an enemy country to use it, or attemp to you anyways. Sort of like bait to draw out the head cheese, Bin Laden or someone of that caliber. I doubt it sitting in any enemey hands, or any of the countries in Africa, however that possibility does remain, even though its very slim. Most like its in pieces at the bottom of the ocean, either they crashed it on thier own, or our fighter jets crashed it for them.
Posted by lukescooto on September 15,2010 | 10:02 PM
dear miss padilla,
i hope for your fathers safe return. and for you and your family i will pray for peace from God
jeff
Posted by jeffrey sherwood on September 15,2010 | 10:03 PM
LOST...SEASON 1
Posted by JACK on September 15,2010 | 10:03 PM
Follow the money.
Posted by joe on September 15,2010 | 10:05 PM
We would like to assist in putting this case to rest and dispelling the rumors from the facts. If this Aircraft is out there, we will be able to find it/ If Mr. Padilla is alive someplace on the face of this earth, we can find him.
If the family of Mr. Padilla would like to contact our agency, they can do so by visiting:
homelandinvestigations.us
or you may contact us directly at (417) 869-1400.
Anthony Elwood
Chief Investigator
Homeland Investigations, LLC
Posted by Anthony Elwood on September 15,2010 | 10:06 PM
i say the cia covered it up so they could have another off the record plane
Posted by mikell on September 15,2010 | 10:06 PM
Hello! Just to throw this out there, if you can, I would go to St. Helena Island, Then Bouvet Island, Marion, And Princa Edvarda Sala Island. Maybe theres something to your dreams or its his way of letting you know he OK. Good Luck, God Bless You and your family!!
Posted by Randy on September 15,2010 | 10:06 PM
I agree with C.Morales, I would like to see the movie...excellent story.
Posted by MikeF on September 15,2010 | 10:06 PM
John Travolta has an ATP Airline transport permit. He flies part time for Quantas airlines.
Posted by John on September 15,2010 | 10:08 PM
Just remember they are two sides to every story always. This
has got to be a cover up,but on the other side somebody
knows what happend to the crew and plane. They are certain people in gov. that can help with this problem.Stop and take a step back and look at everything again the clues are there in front of you. This is bigger than it looks.
The Fat Cobra
Posted by Fat Cobra on September 15,2010 | 10:10 PM
Well,Holly-I wish I were a millionaire,so I could finance a search for your dad.I am so sorry!My heart goes out to you,and my thoughts and prayers are with you.I know that doesn't help much,and it doesn't bring him home.That dream you had-the one of your father being on an island??That was your dad coming to you in your dreams-he's telling you where he is.Maybe not details,or specifics.But I really believe he's trying to let you know where he is.when you have that dream,pay close attention to every little thing in the dream,as if you are there,too.note the surroundings.And listen to what your father tells you,and what he says,because like as not,he probably doesn't say a lot.So you have to pay special attention,dear,and hang on every word.I'm sure you probably do that already.If you can remember your dream,write down the things you remember,and keep track of all he says.maybe-maybe it will lead you to him.we can hope.take care!
Posted by Sharon Minton on September 15,2010 | 10:10 PM
homeland security cia fbi all involved in the investigation of this and all have no comment hmmm there s where your answers are and these agencies should be required to provide their results of the investigations regardless
Posted by rick varnes on September 15,2010 | 10:11 PM
Maybe her father lives a secret life, and is a spy, or does something for the government. Definitely sounds like the government is covering something. Sounds like the government was in on it and maybe something went terribly wrong, hense coverup. I hope in the end, your loved one is found and the truth is eventually revealed.
Posted by Randy on September 15,2010 | 10:11 PM
wow!! that is all that I can say. I hope they get to the bottom of the case. Good story and good writer.
As an African, the story hits home.
Posted by benjamin on September 15,2010 | 10:11 PM
this is like trying to hide an elephent on a desert island...WHAT???
Posted by on September 15,2010 | 10:12 PM
wow sounds a little like a ghost...creepy...
Posted by sarah on September 15,2010 | 10:13 PM
Hmmm... Large plane that requires 3 to fly? Or just a safety requirement? Plane had enough fuel to fly how far? Where did it get fuel? Airport would know. A mint condition pre 1894 rifle legal to own and fire, but how safely? Too little information, too much speculation. Sattelite info probably available, radar info while still in range more effective. Certified flight engineer? He would have known all this! Assign professional investigators with no vested interest. Might just help solve this case. Otherwise too much conjecture and innuendo. "Sun Light is always the most effective disinfectant" Col. Cooper.
Posted by Stephen on September 15,2010 | 10:13 PM
As anover-50-year member of Civil Air Patrol, I know how difficult it is to locate a downed aircraft, especially without knowing its intended flight path or destination. If the lights and transponder were turned off, do you suppose the ELT was also disabled? I certainly would like to know more about this story. Myheatr goes out to the Padilla family.
Posted by Fr. Miles on September 15,2010 | 10:14 PM
J.N. John Travolta WAS certified by Quantas as a pilot, through their school.
Ok people, listen to this. There's an ELT (emergency location transmitter) in the tail of EVERY PLANE. IT's required by LAW. Even hitting the runway too hard will set one off (sometimes) when landing.
Nice story...but...if it crashed in the ocean, shot down, the ELT would certainly go off. THE BLACK BOX works the same way, sending out a signal that's picked up by SATELLITE.
THere's too many "holes" in this story, to say the plane just vanished. IF.....someone was working on the plane, they had to have enough knowledge to dislodge/disconnect both. It is possible. With the technology of today, it's unlikely.
Someone knows somethng.....and their either dead......imprisioned......or not talking.
Posted by John Murphy on September 15,2010 | 10:14 PM
A great article to say the least. I assume when the FBI closed the case they had or have information ( facts ) on the case to warrant it's closing. Perhaps even a cover-up of some sort. I feel it's not terrorist involvement. Could be Insurance fraud....It's hard to say but the silence on the Goverments side is note worthy. I hope to see this mystery solved.
Posted by Dennis on September 15,2010 | 10:14 PM
Perhaps their real plan was to make a long range bomber so to speak.
Posted by Superman on September 15,2010 | 10:14 PM
Missing alot of facts that should be available; ie, fuel vouchers and an approximation of how much fuel was in the aircrafts fuel tanks on the day it took off. This would allow for a estimate of the plane's range. Was the aircraft still wearing the AA livery colors and was the AA logo still on the tail. Was the rear stairs still operable or had they been disabled due to the cargo fuel tanks that had been install inboard on the aircraft. Some of AA's 727 had received upgraded avionics in the latter years of their service with AA in an attempt to convert them to a two man flight crew, had this aircraft received those upgrades?
Posted by flyboy727 on September 15,2010 | 10:15 PM
This plane is either buried in the jungles of africa slinky style, Deep sixed in the atlantic, or under tons of sand in the Sudan. Planes that need that kind of runway length arent hidden this easily!
Posted by Mike on September 15,2010 | 10:15 PM
First, @ veegee: Holly is Ben Padilla's daughter.
Second, I agree with those that think Padilla was a victim and forced to fly the plane. We've all got enough imagination and logic to know that if they had him start up the plane and start taxiing, perhaps he started to fight with the hijackers hence the crazy taxi down the runway.
Also, it'd make sense that someone who can fly smaller private planes might not be so adept at flying a 727. Just my opinion. I sincerely hope that Padilla is found and it's revealed that he was operating against his will.
Posted by Martha on September 15,2010 | 10:16 PM
Sounds to me like Norman's Cay, Bahamas is a good lead. Martin why the Mediterranean? I wonder if an insurance claim was ever paid? Hmmmm....Keep trying Ms. Padilla....If a tree falls in the woods and nobody is around to hear it, it still leaves it's mark....good luck.
Posted by Jessica on September 15,2010 | 10:18 PM
Having flown aircraft of roughly the same size over Africa, I can easily see how a 727 can get lost with no one noticing. Radar coverage is sparse at best, with much of the air traffic control system relying on position reporting by the crew. If the aircraft took of with no flight plan and the transponder turned off, it is completely possible ATC never even tracked the aircraft.
Posted by Chris on September 15,2010 | 10:19 PM
of course the cia or fbi knew the real story.
Posted by lyn castillo on September 15,2010 | 10:19 PM
ridiculous can not believe it can happen.What a trick
Posted by bong on September 15,2010 | 10:20 PM
Agree with G Rowley. If you find this article interesting, read "By the Order of the President" by WEB Griffin...Aside from the dates, the first 2 paragraphs are exactly the same as the beginning of his book....
Posted by J Christman on September 15,2010 | 10:22 PM
Anyone ever heard of D.B Cooper ? He jumped off a 727 back in the late 70's . Aft air stairs came down in flight, and out he jumped, parachute on his back and 200 k in a briefcase . Nothing has been found since . My thoughts are insurance fraud . Inexpierenced pilot got airborne, all that fuel, lit the fuse and jumped . Would'nt be a whole lot left . Marine pick-up . Opinions are worth a grain of sand/salt .
Posted by Thomas on September 15,2010 | 10:23 PM
If the following is true: "Less than two years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the 727’s freakish departure triggered a frantic search by U.S. security organizations for what intelligence sources said could have been a flying bomb," then Jesse's post on September 15,2010, "There is no radar coverage once get you get away from land, so there's no way anyone could have seen where it went (well, except for satellites, but who knows what they were watching at the time)"that is incorrect. An AEGIS radar system (Ticonderoga class) would have been used and located the plane if it had truly been a threat to National Security. Therefore, my condolances to lost loved ones in this mystery. I also don't believe the terrorist plane that was over taken and crashed in Pennsylvania was an accurate account of the truth. I do believe that our military, which enforces a no fly zone over and around D.C. shot down the plane and gave us a happy ending.
Back when studying the effects of radiation, our government contaminated cereal with radiation to study the effects of the sickness of a town. The story was later reported to be true.
As my ex-DEA uncle says, there are three things to live by: 1. Never trust the government 2. Always pay in cash and 3. Woman are no damn good.
BTW, how was it that the Lusitania sucked us into WWI and the Pearl Harbor attack was another reason to put us into WWII? And now Obama is removing, not all, troops from Iraq and sending them to Afghanistan. After the first attack on the Trade towers, Clinton was offered the master mind Osama Bib Laden and the president let it slide.
If you don't believe me, and you shouldn't, investigate for yourself.
Posted by Mark on September 15,2010 | 10:27 PM
Is this how they got the idea for the LOST TV show?
Posted by Mr.Zehcnas! on September 15,2010 | 10:27 PM
since the plane took off from an international airport it is presumed that it was detected by the radar on that airport. it is quite impossible for that plane to get lost if it is being flight followed by a radar controller. it would be very difficult to tell what really happened specially if one is not aware of the circumstances surrounding the event.
Posted by rudy fernandez on September 15,2010 | 10:28 PM
18,000 hrs on the equipment. I doubt that a novice, at night
would be able to fly a 727 which might have mechanical issues at close to max payload (there is no mention of useable fuel status). Probably on the bottom.
Posted by F Hill on September 15,2010 | 10:30 PM
Expect this aircraft to arrive, "loaded for bear", at a location to be mutually beneficial to kill massively to any/all Islamist factions in the U.S.(including Obama's preferences), in the near future. The story is convoluted enough to confuse an anal retentive fact checker. This story is enough to put Jesus in a panic.
Posted by Wilbur Wright on September 15,2010 | 10:30 PM
My guess is that things were getting so rough there that he decided to get out and then plopped into the Atlantic, or possibly cracked up against a mountain or in some other remote area. As a private pilot myself (250+ hours, half single engine, half glider) I can see flying a 727 with no formal instruction would be tough but might marginally be possible. He knew how to fly small fixed wing aircraft and was a flight engineer who had experience with this model. But for one reason or another it didn't work out. Sad.
Posted by Richard on September 15,2010 | 10:30 PM
“If anybody would say to me that my brother was involved with this,” says Joe Padilla, his voice tightening, “they’re full of it. ’Cuz I know my brother. He’s not gonna do nothing crooked. I know that for a fact.”
Okay Mugsy........I used to (literally) fly in these same circles, and there are so many shady charectors involved. All it takes is a drunken argument in a dark bar, a shot is fired, and a body gets buried.
I'm sorry for the families loss, but human life in Africa has little value.
When you lie with snakes, you will eventually be bitten.
Posted by Mr. Frost on September 15,2010 | 10:31 PM
wow i wonder what realy happened to that plane... i coulndt tell it was kinda confusing. so neat story and i hope they figure it all out.
Posted by me on September 15,2010 | 10:31 PM
This story reminds me of the B-17? that went down in the african desert during WW11. The "Lady Be Good" was not found more than 20 years later. If this plane went down in the ocean it might never be found
Posted by andrey Anderson on September 15,2010 | 10:32 PM
I DO remember hearing about this missing acft within a day or two after its disappearance.I never heard anymore about it as other events of the day took the focus off this and once out of sight---it became out of mind. Seemed quite intriguing then and even more so now. Perhaps only people in intelligence or aviation paid any attention to it. I also remember that among other posibilities at the time was that it had been repossessed by the bank. I guess that one HAS been ruled out, but beyond that....ANYTHINGS possible.
Most people outside of aviation would think it almost impossible for an acft of this size to disappear into oblivion, but quite honestly, it could be flying today and no-one would be the wiser. I DO believe that it very possibly met it fate and unless sister Benita Padilla knows more than she saying, brother Ben has very likely met his end also. My condolences to the family.....I do wish they could get some closure.
Posted by Watersisland on September 15,2010 | 10:32 PM
Its a very messed up deal. If it crashed in the ocean they would have found wreckage by now. It is indeed covered up. A plane of that size just doesn't disappear. I am sorry. I don't buy that it just goes away without a trace.
Posted by Ernie on September 15,2010 | 10:33 PM
i would indeed say this is a very interesting story.Was they really hauling what they say they was, or something entirely different ? When no one want's to make any comments on this FBI,CIA etc., it makes me wonder maybe they had something to do with it, or did it crash in the ocean ? We might find out someday.
Posted by james evans on September 15,2010 | 10:33 PM
It puzzles me that an aircraft this big could just simply vanish into emptiness without any trace. And why had all those agencies kept mum on this? That people "in the know" maintained their silence over the years only raises doubts that there was something foul about this whole thing.
Posted by marilyn pablico on September 15,2010 | 10:34 PM
I agree with the above note that states the CIA has the plane. They have a lot of [non] planes for their operations. They are always landing planes all over the USA at small airports and taking them to a hanger. When the plane comes out of the hanger, the tail numbers are not the same. That action was doctuments by the local TV station about one year ago.
Posted by GARY MIZE on September 15,2010 | 10:36 PM
I had forgotten about the disappearance of the aircraft and it would have never crossed my mind had I not seen this article. Fascinating that a large passenger airplane can disappear from the face of the earth without a trace. I remember thinking when I first heard this story that the plane would show up due to its size.
Apparantly someone or some organization had an excellent plan in place when they stole this airplane. No doubt it was placed in a hanger almost immediately after landing, re painted along with a new set of numbers and is being flown regularly.
The mystery is what happened to the occupants? I hope something hasn't happened to them, but I fear the worst. My prayers and thoughts go the family and I hope this tale has a happy ending eventually.
Posted by JimmyP on September 15,2010 | 10:36 PM
This story was the plot line for a book by WEB Griffin that I recently read - in very close detail to the events described above.
Posted by Grant Shepard on September 15,2010 | 10:36 PM
reminds me of the B-17? that went down in africa during WW11 . The Lady Be Good was not found for more than 20 years
Posted by Andrey Anderson on September 15,2010 | 10:37 PM
Wow! What a story. This has got to be one of the best and interesting articles I have read in a long time. I sure hope the mystery is solved and that Padilla gets home to his family.
One question. Why would folks have been waiting on the plane for Padilla and his helper? If they wanted to steal the plane, why not just fly it out themselves?
Given that the plane taxied erratically and no radio contact was heard one would think the pilot was not familiar with the plane. Further, if Padilla was piloting it then I would think he was involved or he would have squawked 7500 for hijack or 7700 for emergency. The article says the transponder was not engaged. Thus, whovever was flying did not want the transponder on. I wonder if Padilla and his helper just happened to board the aircraft while it was in the process of being stolen.
Posted by Jake on September 15,2010 | 10:40 PM
An F-18 from a carrier shot it down and that info won't be public for 13 more years...
Posted by Money Inc. 365 on September 15,2010 | 10:45 PM
An F-18 from a carrier shot it down and that info won't be public for 13 more years...
Posted by Money Inc. 365 on September 15,2010 | 10:45 PM
My guess, Bottom of the South Atlantic......
Posted by Ray Smith on September 15,2010 | 10:48 PM
What is even more amazing is that fact that the government says a fully loaded 757 hit the Pentagon on 9-11.
However, if you take a look at pictures 30 minutes after the attack you will NOT find any wings, tail section, seats, twisted metal or tons of luggage strewn all over the lawn.
In fact, the windows of the Pentagon were not even broken where the wings supposedly hit.
Just research why WTC Building # 7 collapsed into its footprint with the help of demolitions.... why were explosives set in the building long before the morning of 9-11 ?
To this day 95% of Americans believe the official story of 9-11.
Posted by Julian on September 15,2010 | 10:49 PM
All aircraft have the same principles of flight. Some time on a flight sim program can brush you up for the real thing. Interesting story. It is odd that it is a 727. This is the same type of aircraft DB Cooper jumped out of. Maybe DB Cooper stole it.
Posted by Richard on September 15,2010 | 10:49 PM
It definitely is a cover up, what? with huge amount of money involve, and no one talking.
Posted by Chrischel Alcantara on September 15,2010 | 10:49 PM
Quit reading after the first page. Too long!
Posted by tooLONG on September 15,2010 | 10:50 PM
One of the most interesting and perplexing stories I've ever read or heard of. Thanks. Excellent writing and research.
Posted by Jim Dempsey on September 15,2010 | 10:51 PM
padilla cut a deal to steal/sell this plane & wound up at the bottom of the atlantic ocean for his efforts.
Posted by kount kookula on September 15,2010 | 10:51 PM
This is the first time I have heard about this.. and the first time I have read anything about this... WOW.. great story, would make a wonderful movie, Like the "Thin Blueline" I think the name of the movies was... all the information I read here, goes into a movie, and someone, somewhere lets us know what really happened... I am sorry for the Missing people..
Posted by CARMEN L CLUCK on September 15,2010 | 10:52 PM
With all due respect to the family, I would be amazed if that plane made it to where it was going.The "off the books" plane theory doesnt pass the smell test. Arizona has plenty of old forgotton airliners that nobody would be the wiser if they disapered. Rest in pease, and godspeed
Posted by Dylan on September 15,2010 | 10:52 PM
There's a slim a chance with two inexperienced guys flying an aircraft that requires three crew to fly to make it out of Angola. Getting the plane up in the air is one thing... and how about keeping it steady in flight and then finally -- LANDING, Hmmm.
Posted by Glenn Miguel on September 15,2010 | 10:56 PM
My opinion, and its just an opinion, is that it has to do with our us military. I back our military 100% but, something about this throws me for a loop. Who knows why this plane went missing, im more startled that our government agencies just stopped looking and, almost out of nowhere, gave up interest. You would think that after 9/11 any plane flying, dark and unauthorized, would be tracked and halted immediately. Imagine what would happen if a plane like this got into the hands of a terrorist organization. That would be the first and exact thought of any government across the globe. I believe some government agency found and perhaps neutralized the plane, without knowing all the facts. Then realizing the extent of the situation, turned a cold shoulder to the situation, in an attempt to make believe that they know nothing.
Like I said, just my opinion.
Posted by Jeff Pew on September 15,2010 | 10:57 PM
This was a great article. Holley, I hope that your father is found. In this day and age it is very hard to imagine that 727's can just magically disappear without a trace, sadly, that seems to be the case. From the get go this whole idea was doomed...'let's go work for blood diamond gangs and try to make money from goons!' Sad that an innocent person got caught up in the bulls***! Wish the best and pray for a safe return...
Posted by Lindsey P on September 15,2010 | 10:59 PM
Could it be related to transferring terrorists out of the country secretly?
Posted by HS on September 15,2010 | 11:04 PM
It is such a horrible story to read. I just hope it would have a happy ending.To the family, just hold on to what you've been hoped for.
Posted by belen on September 15,2010 | 11:04 PM
now iv'e seen a pic of the acft, this acft or one just like it, is setting on the ramp at a bone yard in Roswell, NM. iv'e seen it.
Posted by lee whitley on September 15,2010 | 11:05 PM
Well written and interesting story. It has intrigue, adventure, danger and like a spy novel many facets to the story. It amazes me that we could lose such a large plane in our modern day and age----even in Africa.
Posted by Frank Romero on September 15,2010 | 11:05 PM
Great story but the last sentance isn't correct. This Boeing 727 isn't the largest aircraft ever to have disappeared without a trace. In the late 70s, a Boeing 707 flying for Varig took off from Japan going to Los Angeles and disappeared in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Nobody really knows what happened to the 707, which was carrying expensive pantings, nothing was ever found. I've read a few articles about that story. The pilot had survived a previous crash from another 707 in the early 70s in France. EDITORS' REPLY: Correct; larger aircraft have vanished, but they clearly ended up in the ocean. The 727 is the largest vanished aircraft that could have landed somewhere.
Posted by MM Blue on September 15,2010 | 11:05 PM
It's sad to know that this is happening. The family is hopeful to see their father alive. Keep praying and hoping that he is still alive and will see you in the future. with God nothing is impossible.
Posted by Corazon de Jesus on September 15,2010 | 11:06 PM
Who was in office during that time....humm Bush and chaney...why im i not surprised.
Posted by dwayne on September 15,2010 | 11:08 PM
Missing plane turns up in Guinea
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/941831/posts#comment
Posted by iki on September 15,2010 | 11:08 PM
In 2003 a short while after this plane disappeared I had
three very distinguished visitors in my office in Dubai
They said they represented the Foreign Minister in Angola
And they had a plane they wanted to fill up with all kind of goods mainly cigartees and booze,as I did not had any interest in doing business with these guys I said thanks, but no thanks, they left and I heard no more about it.
Posted by Abraham Lingon on September 15,2010 | 11:12 PM
Intersting story, this sure seem to be a cover up, 7 years and the FBI, CIA and government haven't done anything about it, there is something really going on. but the truth shall come out one day as we all know. nothing can be hidden forever.
Posted by Dosty on September 15,2010 | 11:13 PM
There is one person that I can think of who could find what happened to that plane, if it isn't at the bottom of the ocean. Jim Maciver from Florida. Hell, he probably knows some of people envolved in this story.
Posted by Aether on September 15,2010 | 11:17 PM
I hope one day you find out. What truly happened and have a peace of mind.I think not knowing is the hardest part and missing that loved one is very hard. You are in my prayers and i hope thing will come to light soon for you!
Posted by Courtney on September 15,2010 | 11:18 PM
this could be a part of either an insurance fraud or just merely a government top secret mission, i am just trying to see how come it took more than 7 years and still no concrete evidence have been seen.there are satellite cameras all over the world who could have seen its last approach onto land or sea.i hope this case is resolved in due time, soon.
Posted by richello zamora on September 15,2010 | 11:19 PM
Wobbling or not I believe whoever flew that plane out made certain they kept it low enough for radar to not pick it up. Since the issue was money, and still owing big bucks for the plane, they probably plotted the course for an uninhabited island and landed it there. It could have been planned in advance to do this.
People do really strange things and make awkward 'deals with the devil,' so to speak when they're desperate. If the transponder was off, and there was no radio contact then something was definitely amiss. NO ONE does something like that for no reason; most especially if they have any idea what could happen to them with that transponder off. No, they definitely had something else planned; a cut and dry deal.
It's a very interesting story and a great read, but where does it go from here? If the FBI and CIA aren't talking then that means they either know something definite, or they're in on it; a deliberate connection to whoever took the plane to use it, stripped and repainted for another false flag attack on US soil maybe? It can also be stripped and turned into a drone, remote controlled from the point of origin. They 'can' and 'do' do that. It wouldn't surprise me if it's not already been done, and sitting in an air force hanger, well guarded, and waiting to be picked up.
I've learned to 'never say never' because whenever people say it's impossible, guess what shows up? :>)
Posted by Lea on September 15,2010 | 11:20 PM
My first reaction was that someone didn't know how to fly the plane and crashed. But there's the possibility it landed on an island after being stolen. Someone may know the truth,I hope the relatives find out.
Posted by Diana on September 15,2010 | 11:20 PM
All those US intelligence agencies involved, yet I'm not hearing a word about either of the two agencies that should be -- neither the FAA nor the NTSB are even mentioned in the article. Now why, I wonder, should that be?
I find myself forced to agree with several of the other contributors that something is seriously amiss, but I'm at a loss to even begin to guess what. A couple of things I am fairly sure of, though ... one, if the FBI cited national security when declining to comment, that is the end of the matter with them. No more info forthcoming from that corner, most likely ever. And guaranteed they have good reason, though they'll never tell you what it is.
Another thing, it is highly unlikely that a Boeing 727-200 series would simply have fallen apart over the ocean. There are too many of those still flying for them to be that fragile, given their advanced age. Also, the 727 family is hardly a fuel-efficient design, having been designed and built in a time when jet fuel was plentiful and cheap. Its contrail and fuel residue would have been considerable, and if flying low enough to have not been instantly detected by ground-based radar, the noise of its passage would have been significant. Those engines, most manufactured before current FAA noise regs went into effect and therefore granted exemptions to those regs, are not at all quiet. You can hear them a long way off at full power.
All I can say about what all the dots add up to is, we may never know for sure what happened. You can bet it wasn't good, or one of those agencies would have had something to say, as would the FAA. My only hope is that maybe, someday, at least the families of the crew may finally be told what became of their loved ones. The rest of us can wonder how something the size of a 727 can simply go POOF! and never be found... gives us something to ponder at night.
Posted by Fuelrice on September 15,2010 | 11:23 PM
The plane was found and was under control of an extremest organization. A small team was inserted and the plane was destroyed before it could be utilized. Eventually one agency informed another and in 2005 there was no reason to pursue it any further.
Posted by Brian on September 15,2010 | 11:27 PM
Great Story!! So well written, thank you. I am so sorry for your loss.
Posted by mandy on September 15,2010 | 11:28 PM
This plane was stolen and sold to a group known as the Revolutionary United Front in Sierra leone. The group used the aircraft to earn respect with the locals and to transport large amounts of diamonds to the Ivory coast without fear of further piracy. Government agencies determined the plane was not a threat and determined it has since been re-claimed by a corrupt system of aircraft registration and is flying under an assumed African Civil Aviation Registry and falsified FAA security documents. 1/4 of the aircraft in Africa operate on fictitious documents.
Posted by marx88 on September 15,2010 | 11:28 PM
Holley Padilla,
I m sorry to hear about your father...all these conspiracy theories are just that...theories. You have to take into consideration where he was flying too. The Congo government is very corrupt and the diamond minds (as you know im sure) are ran by thugs. Id like to help you...let me know if there is something I can do.
D
Posted by David Kauffeld on September 15,2010 | 11:30 PM
The CIA 'loses' people, they don't generally find them.
Posted by Billybob on September 15,2010 | 11:33 PM
interesting.one of the only commercial airliners that you can jump out of with a parachute.{d.b cooper}i wonder if this has any relevance to the case.
Posted by emilio on September 15,2010 | 11:34 PM
No, the 727 never crash, it was brought down by the Angolan air force due to violation of air space agreement, The two people on board was arrested and they are server, the 727 was in pounded by the authorities and since then is hidden somewhere which I cannot mention its location for now. For more information, you can get in touch on jope194501@gmail.com , not ready to discuss this matter with FBI or CIA agents, only family members.
Posted by Capt James on September 15,2010 | 11:35 PM
This might be another one of those "oops" incidents. It was shot down by mistake, and the U.S., among other governments won't admit it. If they thought it was being used by terrorists for another "suicide attack" or something, why don't they just admit it?
Or, maybe it was another immoral deal like the trading of "Blood Diamonds" or something like that specifically arranged by the leaders of the USA. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if the FBI and/or CIA were actually even involved in the deal, then they had to shoot it down to cover their a$$es after the deal went bad.
Posted by Greg on September 15,2010 | 11:36 PM
i was, just this past week, remembering the story of this plane's disappearance and wondering if it had been found in the years since. thanks for the update.
Posted by michael r on September 15,2010 | 11:36 PM
So what is this "new information" the guys sister has? You start the article by writing this woman has new info but, you never mention it in the article. Fail.
Posted by steve olson on September 15,2010 | 11:38 PM
Hey!..look guys. This is a typical cia cover-up that someone screwed-it-up. We all know that. These days all our communications are being intercepted by NSA, the world is watched by the NGIA, every country is spied by the DIA, masterninded by the CIA, gossiped by the FBI, operations ran by CENTCOM, all dunoughts eaten by local COPS and they are gonna tell me "they don't know anything about it"?..Give me a break.
Posted by Javier on September 15,2010 | 11:39 PM
Why does everyone always assume its the Government's fault or they were covering up? People are just trying to make things bigger then what they truly are. It seems like it's a dangerous business and things got a little out of hand. I hope for the best.
Posted by Dyl on September 15,2010 | 11:39 PM
Africa is a VERY big place - I can almost guarantee that that bird is still flying...
Posted by john on September 15,2010 | 11:40 PM
WOW!! Great story but with so many questions unanswered. Please keep us up to date if anymore information comes to light.
Posted by john shupe on September 15,2010 | 11:40 PM
is this like the plane that crashed in the river at Pittsburgh PA that also has never been found.
Posted by Ron Deer on September 15,2010 | 11:41 PM
Shouldn't this be on unsolved mysteries tv show instead of a new banner on yahoo? Who cares what happened in '03
Posted by Anon on September 15,2010 | 11:43 PM
it seems to me that someone doesnt want you to find your family.... i cant believe this is happening to you. im sick to my stomach now and wish there was something i could do to help. I know saying sorry isnt going to help but i will truly pray for you and your family... and to all the evil people out there haveing fun at someone elses expense something horrible WILL happen to you trust me
Posted by EDWARD on September 15,2010 | 11:43 PM
I would really love to see this story told in a movie... I'm itching to see the mystery solved! On a more personal note, I do hope for the families sake that the truth is revealed.
Posted by MCB on September 15,2010 | 11:43 PM
Excellent job, and very interesting article!
Posted by Peter on September 15,2010 | 11:45 PM
Part I
Holly, I am not trying to advance any sort of conspiracy story however many years ago there was a C-130 aircraft which was stationed in the European command. It appears that the crew chief was a bit homesick as well as being discouraged with the Air Force. At the time the crew chiefs were permitted to taxi their respective aircraft and in this case it seemed to be a normal run up function.
Little did the Air Traffic Controllers in the tower realize that the individual inside the plane had no intention of remaining in the country but was intent upon returning to his home in New York City. Granted this Airman possessed the knowledge to taxi and run up the aircraft but in addition he was also capable of taking off with it as well. After his takeoff all his actions were being monitored in the Control Tower while fighter jets were airborne immediately in response to his unauthorized flight. As the plan was being displayed on the radar screen along with the fighters it magically disappeared.
Although one lone man may have been able to take the aircraft off the runway there was no way a single person would be capable of landing it. Considering where the crew chief was heading he immediately became a threat to America and in particular to LaGuardia Airport and New York City itself. When the event was over the rumors began to flow around the installation that our fighters were instructed to down this plane and nothing was every heard about the incident again. Upon reading the article as it was written it sure smelt of similar circumstances. I could not say in the case of your brother but I would venture to note that terrorists were not responsible for the disappearance of the aircraft of which I speak.
Posted by Joseph Parish on September 15,2010 | 11:48 PM
Maybe the erratic taxing provided good backstory?
too many confounding variables but one is clear:
missing plany and miss man--lost? both not found, seems unlikely
probably shot down, by whom?
maybe it was a setup for a flyig target for someone's gov't--drones weren't around yet, right?
maybe a drone shot it down for someone's pleasure.
oh boy.
Posted by steven conner on September 15,2010 | 11:49 PM
Joseph volunteering to take a polygraph means nothing. There is no such thing as a "lie detector."
FBI uses polygraphs as a tool to scare people into confessing things. If you know that, you have nothing to fear from a polygraph.
Posted by kozz on September 15,2010 | 11:49 PM
Was a great piece of work like a lot have said belive it or not. sure it could have happend ? But with technology even in that years they do not loose planes thier is all sorts of radar and satilites out thier that watch every movement transponder or not. Do not think they had stelth capabilty then! or did they that is the question. did our own goverment steel it from the drug lords who developed it first? they sure have the funding for it. New inovations come from shure luck or years of expermentation, or stealing it from some one else. You ever wonder how they get all that herion and cocaine into our country. Somthing to think about. And yes would make a great movie. also to ad if this did happen, my deepest thoughts and prayers go out to the family. and hopefully one day it will be resolved.
Posted by louis on September 15,2010 | 11:50 PM
Part II
Considering some of the work I had done in the military when you mentioned that the issue came up as a result of “intelligence network” red flags routinely leap into view. Add to that the complete disinterest being displayed by the CIA, FBI and other ranking agencies and the plot seems to get a bit thicker. Now let’s put the icing on the cake with the CIA spokesman refusing to comment and I have to wonder whose fault this was.
I would likely rule out insurance fraud in view of the small amounts of money involved. I say small when you are considering the cost of a commercial aircraft. The assurer could easily have placed the plane back on the market and made his money. Another option to consider is that the area of the disappearance is an array of warfare. It has been for many years and it’s likely to continue for many more. Aircraft passing through specific localities risk literally being shot from the sky. The opposing countries fear massive arms shipments to the opposing forces which would limit their militaries advantage. In situations such as these the aircrafts could even be enlisted for these covert operations. As John mentioned in the comments it is possible that the plane is currently in use in the mid-east at this time. The CIA and the black ops often operate covert actions using aircraft such as this. If it’s ever discovered they simply deny everything. Good luck in fining your family member. If I can be of any further help just let me know.
Posted by Joseph Parish on September 15,2010 | 11:50 PM
My sympathy to the Padilla family, please keep your faith. As I was reading this article, several facts became apparent. 1) Any pilot without current flight credentials can fly a 727. 2) Any certified pilot for private planes can get behind the controls and fly to a destination they know will be safe. 3) The 727 may be painted & disguised to look like a carrier from another country. 4) The plane is most likely being used for trafficking either diamonds, gold or drugs 6) I do not believe this is Insurance fraud. 7) The runways on smaller islands would not be long enough to land this aircraft. and 7) In Africa, planes that are actively flown for private or commercial use do not have updated maintenance certificates or carry ones that have been forged. I would check every hanger in S. Fl., especially Opa Locka, chances are it has either been there or still is.
Posted by Jacki on September 15,2010 | 11:51 PM
Regards to the Holly and Padillas family.I hope you one day see your father again or at the least gain closure. This s a very interisting story. I hope that one day someone gets to the bottom of it. I think someone in the dimond business needed another plane and didn't know how to fly it properly, and its at the bottom of the Atlantic, but I could be wrong. There are certainly alot of possibilities.I just hope that Padillas is found , or that the truth is somehow found at least.
Posted by John Stewart on September 15,2010 | 11:53 PM
Any divers? Id say the plane is now a treasure at the lowest part of the atlantic.. Big plane, taking off erratically...
Posted by Manny on September 15,2010 | 11:53 PM
Wonderfull story I will read it to my grand kids
Posted by luneytuneman on September 15,2010 | 11:54 PM
Lost for words...I hope your family find out the truth. If the plane crashed or if there is a cover up, hope the true facts come to light someday soon...
Posted by chuck taylor on September 15,2010 | 11:54 PM
Sincere condolences to the Padilla family.
From an air traffic controller's perspective any aircraft can be tracked via RADAR even with its transponder turned off. The "primary target" (i.e., "blip on the screen") can be tracked, revealing distance and direction or heading from the RADAR's source. Transoceanic RADAR does exist, also. I should know. I have utilized them for years in my profession! Although it should be noted that, flying over land or water, primary targets are difficult to track consistently if they are flying below 2,000 ft. This is because the RADAR antenna's low altitude coverage beam is typically directed above 2,000 ft. Typically it is not necessary to track aircraft below 2,000 ft. Virtually all international airports do have some form of RADAR system installed. So, I'm not buying it if the air traffic controllers in Angola did not attempt to track the aircraft by RADAR once it got airborne. Additionally, ATC personnel, worldwide, are trained in identifying possible hijacked aircraft. An aircraft taxiing irradically on the ground, without radio contact, is a trained pilot's non-communicative, visual way of alerting ATC in the control tower that he is under duress/hijack. They (tower ATC), in turn, would notify law enforcement/military authorities immediately. Law enforcement/military alert aircraft can launch within 5 minutes and follow the aircraft in question until either, A. it lands safely, or, B. it runs out of fuel and crashes.
I am going with the government cover-up theory. The CIA, Homeland Security, and FBI knows more than what they're revealing. National security reasons is a diversion. I also agree with following the money trail, too. Far too many obscure people involved with a shady past, along with millions of dollars?
Posted by Bert H. on September 15,2010 | 11:57 PM
Many possibilities, alot of these entities are or maybe tied to it...Terrorists, Al-Queda, Columbian Drug Cartels, Blood Diamond Dealers...anything with money involved in, the seat will always be hot....hope you get your father back Holley.
Posted by wayne on September 15,2010 | 11:59 PM
The story is starting to get too complex: the girl--his fiance, and Mr. Padialla himself. I would say she had too much to benefit from his death; and him being the con he was with possible more than one wife and affairs, she, the fiance, may have wised up and decided to do her own detective work.
So far I sense contributory negligence: let me finish reading it. :)
Posted by steven conner on September 15,2010 | 11:59 PM
Great story. Well written, well researched, very intriguing. I was an intelligence officer working with CJTF-HOA not long after this happened, and as far as I know, there's a lot of speculation, but not a lot of facts on where that aircraft went.
Posted by John McPherson on September 15,2010 | 12:00 AM
--could pirates benefit from an airliner?
Posted by steven conner on September 15,2010 | 12:02 AM
Im really sorry Holley Padilla, I dont know what i would do if my dad went missing, honestly i think i would go crazy looking for him
Posted by lucy on September 15,2010 | 12:03 AM
Interesting read, I would be quite interested to know if and who paid out on the ins. on this aircraft and who the bennificery was. "following the money" is allways my first course of action in investigating.
Irratic taxiing, no lights or transponder activation makes me think some "distractions" in the cockpit and if the plane was able to take off and travel enough distance to get over the mountain ranges and far enough to get over water it was being flown by someone who could also land it! So my feeling is that it was heading to a very specific place for a very specific reason/use.
A "rogue" 727 with an extra 5000 gallons of fuel capicity, we will assume diease fuel, is not something that any goverment wants to have to encounter entering there airspace. A civilian style plane with the capicity to have the explosive fuel capicity nearly double of either plane that hit the towers.
It is my strong feeling that this aircraft is still in use in a corner of the world (likley Africa or middle east) being used for something that our government is probably well aware of but unwilling to intervene or likley active in some capicity of its inner workings.
Posted by Dave on September 15,2010 | 12:04 AM
Sorry about your brother and dad! I feel things
are untold and something is known by someone. I
pray your family finds out some or all the truth
and maybe what happened or where your loved one
is. God Bless your family and keep you all well!
Posted by char on September 15,2010 | 12:05 AM
while the freedom of information act requires the government to turn over all information about the case it does not require them to verbally comment on it. I would look for gaps in the information such as certain days without any data while the surrounding days have alot generally that signals a missing file or something along those lines. I can tell you for a fact that this was not an insurance scam. American Airlines would not take that risk over a 747 let alone a 727, and the fact that the communications were turned off implies that someone didnt want this plane to be tracked. This plane could have been taken by someone specifically for the purpose of obtaining the fuel tanks the plane was hauling. A clue as to the happenings of the plane may be revealed by the sudden presence of large quantities of fuel somewhere in the world.
Posted by Jason on September 15,2010 | 12:07 AM
worth reading, thanks to the author. i hope your dad makes it back to you holley.
Posted by Paul on September 15,2010 | 12:09 AM
Holley Padilla, I am so sorry for your pain. I hope and pray that you will see your father again soon.
Posted by Ghandi on September 15,2010 | 12:10 AM
This was a good piece of investigative journalism...and that is a distinct rarity now.
But the fact that Padilla only held a private pilot's license really doesn't mean much....you'd be amazed at how much you can learn about flying commercial jets just by using any of a number of flight sims on a computer. And taking off in even a twin engine jet is a walk to grandma's doughnut shop compared to setting one down...just as with a prop job. I am commercially rated with instrument and multi so I know whereof i speak. Angola, being as primitive as is, most likely has nothing in the way of what we fliers call a "radar environment" and if this were an insurance scam they would have remained under the radar even had there been and then ditched at sea at a prearranged point and then been picked up.
Satellite surveillance?.....with all the trillions in snoop contraptionry that is littering space now you might think they would be easily detected....but if so, ask yourself why it took the authorities seventeen long years to finally nab Ted Kaczinski, the Unibomber, and even then only because he bragged up a dirt storm to his brother in a Montana bar. Space surveillance is grossly over rated and is so to cow the masses.
Posted by Bob Hauser on September 15,2010 | 12:13 AM
I'm very sorry for the families of the men who disappeared, whether the men were in on the crime or not. I can't imagine how hard it would be to not know if a loved one is alive or dead, to wonder and worry always. If it is a government cover-up, you will probably never learn more in this life. If it is insurance fraud, then something might surface, but don't count on it. The people behind this will find the price they pay is far more than they gained, because what one sends out into this world comes back times three- three times the good or three times the evil!- but there is no comfort in that when you don't know what happened. Many blessings to the families of both men.
Posted by Catherine on September 15,2010 | 12:13 AM
My apologies to the family for lack of closure or answers. Having flown in the Congo, I can tell you that there is NO radar in that part of Africa. Congo only had 1 radio navigation aid that worked. Also, corruption and violence run wild so much so that the majority of the population in that part of the world is under 25 years old. For the conspiracy theorists, a B-727 would be far down the list of any aircraft I'd choose for covert operations (Requires larger crew, noisy, smoke trails, fuel hog, need for ground equipment/airstairs to load/unload, etc). My guess is somebody tried to commandeer the jet with poor results.
Posted by Pete on September 15,2010 | 12:19 AM
If the lights and the transponder were turned off it was done for a reason - they didn't want to be caught, followed, or heard from again. Case closed.
Posted by Melissa on September 15,2010 | 12:21 AM
It just doesn't make sense that a large plane like that couldn't be tracked via satellite or GPS, unless all tracking devices were removed. Even so, it doesn't make sense. I know for a fact that both the government and military have secretive tracking technologies that we don't even know about. And believe it or not, there are secretive US government agencies that nobody knows about (14 out of 16 or more are publically known about, and there are at least 2 or more agencies that no one knows about). It might be a matter of certain (possibly unknown) government agencies not being willing to give up certain information OR the information not being able to be shared with anyone and/or publically. Trust me on this one, the government knows more than you think about things... if the government released all information that they know (about anything) to the public, there would possibly be mass riots and chaos. I think that this case has already been solved, only the government won't and can't release that information publically, so chances are no one will ever know about this case.
Posted by Dave on September 15,2010 | 12:21 AM
I have seen this plane at Harare International Airport
Posted by Elisha on September 15,2010 | 12:22 AM
this is so long!!
Posted by 64.nkhvjgh on September 15,2010 | 12:24 AM
Q:Did the owner receive a insurance settlement?
Q:Do 727 aircraft parts have serial numbers?
Q:Are aircraft of private owners required to have annual government inspections?
Find one part from the missing 727 and mystery solved.
Posted by marcmywords on September 15,2010 | 12:28 AM
I find it hard to believe that after 9/11 our government wouldn't have sent up jets to intercept this plane within minutes. They know what happened and I hope Holley and her family persue this further. To many things are covered up not only in this country, but the world. I hate to say it, but if diamonds/money are involved without answers, it doesn't look good... I pray for your family...
Posted by Colleen on September 15,2010 | 12:28 AM
There is an unmentioned possibility of how the "theft" of this aircraft could be used for terrorist purposes, and could be a probability of why it was taken. It would be possible to hide this plane in a hidden hanger, and repaint it to be an exact match to an in use aircraft of a popular airline, with matching N numbers and all. It would be then possible to fuel it completely up, as said a "Flying Bomb", put it in the air to get close to it's "twin". Then another armed aircraft could shoot down and eliminate while over the ocean the real aircraft, with the twin copy being able to make an approach unsuspected to the airport that the real aircraft was scheduled to land, thus allowing the copy aircraft now controlled by terrorists to make a quick detour to strike another target like in 9/11!
Posted by Tom Lease on September 15,2010 | 12:30 AM
to all none believers i have spent time working in angola,africa and i can tell you this life there is hell, the stories of the ak-47's are very real
Posted by Livewire on September 15,2010 | 12:33 AM
It sounds like they had plans to fly from Angola to the Congo and were wanting to land at a remote airstrip that the man from the Congo would spot from the air. Odd thing is taking off at sunset when it would not be light out to see where they were landing or flying. For a plane to take off without communication etc would seem that it would result in a tail bird taking off to follow it. If it was out there alone, it could have run out of fuel and ended up in the ocean. If it were to have done so you would expect they would break silence and request help.
As it now, anyone's speculation where it went down. Sounds like it never reached land and went into the ocean, possibly at night. My condolances to the familes of the two men.
Posted by Roger on September 15,2010 | 12:34 AM
Tha Angolan Air Force shot it down. They aren't going to let it leave their airfield/airspace without a transponder, and there was probably not radio response to the tower. They aren't gonna put up with that crap and surely detailed a MiG for the errand. No mystery.
Posted by Greg on September 15,2010 | 12:34 AM
I don't understand? When a company with a satilite and technology we have can take a photograph of a friends '72 Camaro from outerspace and it can be identified as good as a snapshot taken from, say thirty feet away, why can't they find a 727 that is how many times bigger? It smells kinda rotten! What happened to a honest days work for a honest days pay?
Posted by Rick Madison on September 15,2010 | 12:40 AM
How rigid is the press report "the aircraft began taxiing with no communication between the crew and the tower; maneuvering erratically..... and headed out over the Atlantic Ocean."
Busy Quatro IA air traffic? If the 727 have been seen taxiing without clearance, i think everybody will be chasing like crazy. The 727 is sure well noticed and how can it was left bird flying? How can it just disappeared from radar?
Posted by Lo Orang Tuah on September 15,2010 | 12:43 AM
It sounds and looks like most people are taking stories from
books and movies too seriously, but then again who knows.
The missing person may be the key to the whole mystery and
then again maybe not, who knows?
Posted by Cecille on September 15,2010 | 12:43 AM
I have had dealings with and know some of the parties to this magic act. They are very good at what they do and in most cases, from what i've seen it is to their benefit, not "ours". Sorry for those lives it has affected.
Posted by Sandy on September 15,2010 | 12:47 AM
The two Jumped and let the plane fly by itself till it crashed Most likely Insurance Fraud The jump community has talked about this from time to time
Posted by chris on September 15,2010 | 12:47 AM
Does google earth have the ability to view the whole earth. If it does can you use it to check the islands? My prayers to the Padilla family. Good luck in your search for answers.
Posted by Brenda on September 15,2010 | 12:48 AM
Holley Padilla,
I don't know you already have tried to ask your Congress man and senator to reopen the case. You can also write to Mr. President Obama. He should listen to you if no one else does.
Please don't lose your hope and pursue. I wish I could be of any help to you and your family. I feel pain for you as well.
Best Luchk !
Posted by Michael Kang on September 15,2010 | 12:52 AM
wow!! This is the 1st I've heard about this story. The goverment knows exactly what happend and we the people will probably never know. Theres so much that happens and I'm sure we don't what to know. I'm sure our thinking could not understand how wicked all agency of the goverment really are. I hate to think that I'M A SHEEP, but I don't know what else you'd call it. I vote, then I set back and watch both partys forget about us, the people. And it does piss me off, all they do is fight and forget their there to WORK. Holly I'm so sorry about your father, not knowing is hard. I'm going to read the book.
Posted by cindy on September 15,2010 | 12:53 AM
I can assure you, if he was a flight engineer on a 727 he
could fly that aircraft with no problems....
Posted by Yosemite Sam on September 15,2010 | 12:56 AM
Did not hear of this before.Sorry to hear of your Father's and Brother's disappearance.Hope you all hear something positive soon.
Posted by Major Milverton Munroe on September 15,2010 | 12:56 AM
That's one amazing story filled with twists,turns and certainly cutthroats. This sounds more and more like an insurance fraud claim, but Joseph sounded like he has no idea what went down, which leads me to believe the deal was made without his knowledge so later on like now Joseph could have deniability and most importantly the best case scenario for taking a lie detector test which by the way has many ways to be cheated.
Posted by Drew on September 15,2010 | 12:56 AM
Looks like another mysterious puzzle to be solved -or exposed- in addition to the 911 attack. Maybe we are going to know the truth in our lifetime. Maybe. Anyhow, regarding this aircraft: I believe that the U. S. military monitors every aircraft in flight, and, unless I am overestimating their capabilities, the flight -and disappearance- of this aircraft would not have gone by unnoticed.
Posted by Roger F. Maslon on September 15,2010 | 12:59 AM
well just reading the first page, it kinda sounds like someone just wanted some money and stuff and they got it. and for real. the government cant find a plan that flippin size?!?!? specially after 9/11. its more like the government didn't want to find the plan so didn't even try to look for it because they already knew it wasn't a harm to the U.S. or anything like that.
Posted by Ryan on September 15,2010 | 01:01 AM
Just another example of how the government likes to cover stuff up that would make them look bad. And to reply to one of the comments above: I'm sure the FBI and/or CIA could've (and probably already did) found the aircraft.
Posted by Gustavo on September 15,2010 | 01:02 AM
And if the flight tower saw a plane being taken without clearance, why were planes sent after it?
Since the plane was spotted in Africa then it is possible this new guy Mutantu convinced or took hostage Padilla so they could sell it in somewhere in Africa, I am sure that plane is worth big bucks to some milita or freedom fighter organization, and maybe like people say...Padilla could have been a casualty.
Posted by damon on September 15,2010 | 01:02 AM
Things to note. The Transponder comes on automatically when the aircraft is started. It would have had to be TURNED OFF by someone. When the aircraft departed it was intentional. Someone knew what they were doing. They may not have been able to properly fly the aircraft but they knew enough to turn off certain equipment, such as the emergency locator beacon.
Posted by Bob on September 15,2010 | 01:02 AM
What amazes me is the financial trust extended by the plane owners and vendors. There was too much exposure to not be taken advantage of. Everyone was speculating on the next check. Ever gotten a fax or email from Nigeria wanting your bank account number. Best to the families.
Posted by Allen K. on September 15,2010 | 01:03 AM
first thing is,i hope your father comes back to you safe,or that you at least get some form of closure.if i were you id keep following the leads and the money and all the agencies.somebody is lying,and somebody know the truth.the truth will come out eventually,if u pursue it.richard
Posted by richard on September 15,2010 | 01:05 AM
Maybe everything is as it seems and the plane is at the bottom of the ocean. However, it sure seem like a cover-up. The whole part about taxiing erratically seems like a contrived performance. A convenient fact created to set up the whole story.
Posted by Pete on September 15,2010 | 01:07 AM
An interesting story, it leaves many possible ways things may have gone down. I can feel for the people involved, especially the crews that went from the US to Africa and found themselves in a very un-settled place. As one who was in the U.S. Air Force and flew to a number of places in Africa, I have personally be in similar situations where you not only found yourself in places where many people are carrying weapons but also having them pointed at you. There may be lots of money to be made over there but you really must ask if it is worth the risk. In those places life is not worth a penny and nobody would blink at shooting you and diposing of you...........I hope the agencies involved at some point will either release all the information to the family or finish the job of founding out what happened and present all of it.
Posted by T. Humes on September 15,2010 | 01:09 AM
If any intelligence agency from any country did know where this plane landed they would probably be unable to say so because doing so would let those who stole the aircraft know how closely they were being watched.
Posted by Dave on September 15,2010 | 01:12 AM
The jet was repossessed. I flew in it afterward. It is either in Libya or Venezuela most likely or registered at one of the two. Was flown to the Gambia to be registered to red Air. I believe they later defaulted as well. No mystery. Assigned numbers are easy in foreign countries.
Never had a license or formal training but flew numerous repoes. Would love to leave an email for verification but don't want to be deluged with crap. Will read later post. Can prove the current existence. Leave contact info in post.
Posted by on September 15,2010 | 01:18 AM
Great read. I never heard of this either. I do hope you find your family. I also hope the government comes clean on their investigation so you will know, even if it isn't all the details. God bless you in your search! Thanks again for the article!!
Posted by Eric on September 15,2010 | 01:21 AM
First, i'd like to offer my sympathies to the family and daughter of Mr. Padilla, keep your head up Holley. This story is another glaring example of the problems with Airline safety. How plane transponders are so easily manipulated is beyond me. Granted, there are numerous technical and security reasons for the need to turn them on or off that i won't get into, but in certain classes of aircraft and airspaces, there in my opinion should be a solution. Smaller aircraft, smaller executive jets, and civil aviation are not a particular "high risk" of being used in the means of an attack like on 9/11, but larger commercial and cargo planes such as the 727 in this story should have transponder on/off control diverted to the FAA approved dispatches and centers that control airspace, if the pilot would need it off for a tech reason or just like to have it off, then a simple radio request could do that. I'm no expert on the subject, but that seems a simple solution, does it not? As for the plane in the story taking off over the Atlantic from the Angolan coast, it is highly likely that the plane went down in the ocean. That area of the S. Atlantic has some of the most dangerous weather and turbulent water on Earth,it is very plausible that it could go down and wreckage be scattered and unnoticeable in a short time. So, why can we not require a device that would float, such as an E.R.B. that is used on Ocean vessels, be placed in a part of the plane that in event of the plane breaking up in a water crash, it would float back to the surface? It 1: Would give a general area for search and recovery efforts, and 2: Notify authorities of the possibility of not only a water disaster, but also a land based disaster. I am not the person that could tech-wise accomplish that, but in our age,
one would think it possible.
Posted by Jeremy on September 15,2010 | 01:23 AM
hi there? hope someone reads this. there is rummour of an aircraft that landed in Kenya's Moi international airport in Mombasa at relatively the same period that this plane "vanished". apparently the crew just walked away after making an errotic landing and damaging the landing lights. this is however just a rummour, i dont know how authentic it is but it may be worth giving a chase. may be the missing block in the case. all the best with your investigations.
Posted by leo on September 15,2010 | 01:24 AM
On Sept. 11th , 1990, An ex Faucett (paruvian airlines)Airlines B 727-200 contracted to Air Malta, had finished the contract with Air Malta and was returning with 16 crew, wives, maintenance specialists and a coordinator to Miami. The airplane apparently ran off course and out of fuel and vanished over the North Atlantic; leaving no trace.
The 727 took off from Keflavick, Iceland to Gander (canada), flew for 5:20 (last report) Hrs. and then dissapeared.
Posted by Irving Silva on September 15,2010 | 01:25 AM
Having all investigation detils to me its an insurance I would not surprised if it turned out to be an insurance type case.
In Pakistan there three cases when country owned airline (PIA) lost three 737 having the same senerio.
Ahsen Majeed
Posted by Ahsen Majeed on September 15,2010 | 01:25 AM
I could not believe what I read. How could a incident of this magnitude be closed without conclusion for the family or for anyone who knew this happened and wanted an answer. Unbelievable and my sincere condolences to all family members.
Posted by Angelita on September 15,2010 | 01:26 AM
I feel that There's is a sort of 'fig leave' job there.A big cover up job for some ones gain.Alas! what a loss for the family.Take heart.
Posted by Buba Mahir,Zakari on September 15,2010 | 01:26 AM
I smell a rat here. I think they were transporting something more than fuel to the mines,or something from the mines to some where else. The plane was probably stolen with its precious "something" cargo and the two man killed. Keith Irwin has more to tell than what he's trying to keep in is tongue keeper.
Posted by Victor on September 15,2010 | 01:26 AM
Hmm sounds like close to impossible that a air craft that size could completly vanish into thin air over the alantic oncean, i say it a conspiracy with the F.B.I.
Posted by Christian Sanchez on September 15,2010 | 01:26 AM
Amazing novel isn't it? Based on Padilla's flying inexperience, I'm sure they are in the bottom of the ocean. Anyway let's assume they made it thru climb and cruise. But I wanna see somebody without jet experience landing a 727...
Posted by Ariel Abarca on September 15,2010 | 01:27 AM
It is sad to hear about your missing father, my prayers go to your family. There is something that sound fishy in the story. How in post 911 an airplane of that size would start taxing and no security intervention would be engaged immediately? I think you guys might need to go and read a particular book your answers might lie just right in its pages. The book's information is:
Defrauding America, ISBN: 9780932438089, by Rodney Stich.
Posted by Israel on September 15,2010 | 01:27 AM
It's really hard to say definitively what happened but stripping the plane seems likely. Take a look at the Bujumbura, Burundi airport on Google Earth. There is a stripped plane sitting close to the terminal but to small I believe to be a 727 but does point out that there is a pattern of stripping aircraft there.
Posted by John on September 15,2010 | 01:29 AM
“I gave Mike $10,000 and told him to fly with them,” says Joseph. “Stay with the plane till you get the money, and then come on home, and if not, bring the plane home.”
Sounds like he hired a pilot to repo the plane since they did not pay for it like they agreed, and crashed someplace as to why they took off without permission I don't know maybe they thought they wouldn't be able to get it back other wise as I am not sure the legalities of taking a plane back.
And as for as the goverment not commenting my guess is they can't find it and don't want to admit to it losing a plane after what happened a few before.
Posted by Bobcat_Bob on September 15,2010 | 01:30 AM
Sadly, I agree that the aircraft was probably forcibly taken from Ben and John Mutantu, and that they were killed. Furthermore, rationality tells me that the new information regarding the reappearance of the aircraft confirms this.
Posted by Alex on September 15,2010 | 01:32 AM
WOW !! I had not heard of this. I hope they reopen the case and get it solved.
Posted by Doug on September 15,2010 | 01:33 AM
After what happened on 9/11 there is no way any plane exhibiting this erratic behavior would be able to elude the FAA or which ever government agency tasked with monitoring the US airspace. The tower would have immediately notified the Air Force and they would have scrambled some F-? to intercept the plane. My guess is that this is what happened and it was shot down over the ocean after not responding to any type of radio or visual warnings by the Air Force.
Posted by Dude on September 15,2010 | 01:35 AM
This a/c with its cabin mounted fuel tanks could be used as a very long range delivery system by the Iranians. A qualified crew could easily follow below a heavy jet at night creating a single radar return to avoid ATC notice. The B727 would need to initially stay at or around 24,000 with a high .87 Mach number to station keep on a West bound airliner. This lower altitude would avoid night time detection by other traffic as most heavy's would only use the lower altitudes until their burn off allowed them to climb higher. I have over 15,000 hrs in the B 727 and could easily pull this off. Great way to get a crude Nuke to DC while our big thinkers are checking baggage.
Bill
Posted by Bill Hopper on September 15,2010 | 01:36 AM
it's a great story that somebody else was benifit but sad story to the family....i hope that this case was revealed....
Posted by danny on September 15,2010 | 01:36 AM
Where were they flying to and how much payload was on board as well as fuel for the plane? If these figures are calculated you can get an estimated crash position. It seems to me as if they may have been over weight and calculated more range than needed. If they filled the 10,500 gallon tank with Diesel or even gasoline they crashed if they went more than...probably 500 miles, probably less, for the flight. If so they were over weight out of the gate.
Diesel weighs roughly 7.3 lbs and max payload is around 37,000 lbs for this aircraft. At half a tank with Diesel they are almost 1,000 lbs over weight @ roughly 38,300 lbs. EASY mistake to make. Havent done the math but this seems logical. Get the weight of the cargo, how much fuel and the destination/flight plan, calculate and start looking for a crashed plane within 25 miles of the area. Given the fact that it was flying in Africa it could have crashed in a remote area.
If not look for any stops in the flight plan as these would be refuels and recalculate. If it doesnt add up, its probably CIA and the crew is alive and most likely very, very well and simply unable to communicate do to an agreement. Either way, basic mathematics should solve this mystery eliminating the fudge factor of a storm or faulty part on the plane. There will always be mysteries on this earth...
Posted by Mike on September 15,2010 | 01:38 AM
Michel is right! Jean Matantu is the key. Words have been spoken and heard.. More words could be heard. In a poor Country, words come cheap. Unfortunately, behind closed doors, Awaits both good and evil.
Posted by Butch on September 15,2010 | 01:40 AM
Wow, somebody could really dump alot of chemical or biological agents with 5,000 gallon tanks.
Posted by joseph on September 15,2010 | 01:40 AM
What a story that was. It's a story of insurance fraud. A cover up. What a shame. The Atlantic Ocean is vast, unforgiving, and without prejudice, would swallow up human life and anything. I google earthed a few possible flight paths from point-of-origin to destination and the one most likely path that an erratic flying aircraft would take, would put them right over the Bermuda Triangle. It's gone, history, end of story. My heart tells me that Ben was a very good, outgoing man. My heart pours out to his daughter, brother, and the rest of his family. God love you all.
Posted by Buzz on September 15,2010 | 01:46 AM
This plane will be found at some time, I hope it is not found in flames in the Sears Tower on some clear day in Chicago..A 727-200 doesn't just disappear, maybe we have not found it because we don't want it found right now.. I could give many reasons but I will not post them here..Its a mystery, and sooner or later it will be uncovered.
Posted by BOBBYR53 on September 15,2010 | 01:47 AM
This may not be the largest aircraft to ever disapear !
I read about a KC-135 in the KC-135 Fleet Report.
I don't recall the tail number, but it said that after being retired at Davis-Motham airforce Base ( the boneyard )
for some time, A witness reported that he saw it taking off early one morning, and was never to be seen again!
The witness said that he couldn't understand how it could have ever flown again, after he himself had removed vital parts from it. noting that the whole control yolk assembly had been removed from the aircraft.
The KC-135 fleet report shows that aircraft in the lost ccatagory
Not alot of concern about the disaperance because it happened many years prior to 9-1-1 .
I Don't know if I can get ahold of that fleet report again !
Posted by Mikeymikenokc on September 15,2010 | 01:48 AM
I read alot of James Patterson, Karen Slaughter, J.D. Robb type books and I am no longer in denial that our government and secret agencies do exist. Lie all you want,they do exist. Sounds like this plane was used in some undercover work and something went wrong and it had to disappear to protect somebody. Unfortunately, those men are more than likely dead and yes, if the CIA, FBI and Homeland Security won't comment, then something happened and they know. At the very least, they have a pretty good idea of what happened. We send shuttles to Mars for God's sake! You don't lose a plane that size. My understanding is that those diamonds in Africa are mined by children and isn't there some law or something asking people not to buy diamonds from those sources? So, if they will use children to mine for diamonds, how could you possibly think that this plane was going to be allowed to leave? I agree with one of the other posts, someone and I bet more than one someone, knows exactly where that plane is and what happened to those men. You don't just take off w/o any word from the towers. It was hijacked by someone already in the plane or the man with Padilla was not who he told Padilla he was. Classic crime/spy novel. Wake up people! Our government and foreign governments do things all the time they don't want us to know about. I hope maybe someday someone will want to make a bedside confession and give this family some closure, cause it won't happen any other way, I am afraid.
Posted by Mary on September 15,2010 | 01:52 AM
A real story for film maker
Posted by Binod on September 15,2010 | 01:52 AM
I am sorry about what has happened, but you can only help those who seems to need help.No idea where really he is @. Anyway i wish you the best in your life.Thanks and Regards.
Posted by Md. Younus on September 15,2010 | 01:52 AM
Reminds me of some of the shady characters I was dealing with during my days in the D.R. Congo working for the peacekeeping mission there in the early 00s, I remember reading the news alert when it happened. It might have been one of the unmarked 727s in that area, so many of them, and this Padilla guy life kind of mirror mine, indonesia, africa and all, intriguing.
Posted by Solo on September 15,2010 | 01:54 AM
Or MAYBE...The government did find them after they crashed in a tropical island that is grounds for Top Secret Military Testing and are alive, Padilla his 3 wives and any other people boarding the plane, then rather than rescuing and returning them back home. Since they had already seen all the experiments they left them in the island where they are all living off of the local vegetation & animals. Which later became the basis for the "Lost" television series.
PS. No offense to the Padilla family, my respects go out to you and I do very sincerely hope that you do get to see your loved one Mr. Ben Padilla again soon. But this is just an exaggerated way of making sure that we don't veer too far off the path and we remember that the real victims here are the family of Mr. Padilla and that although any and all information is of help that we need to make sure we are not sensationalizing and/or over thinking to the point of impossibility.
Posted by Sunny Smtih on September 15,2010 | 01:54 AM
did mr. padilla like or tried skydiving?
Posted by steve on September 15,2010 | 01:56 AM
this is just like a movie, how can all that happen like that. so sad for the family in anguish. cia to take charge.
Posted by emmanuel on September 15,2010 | 01:56 AM
I think the aircraft is either at the bottom of the ocean or if it is still in the congo its then been stripped apart and sold as scrap!!! would make a good movie though.
Posted by Clinton on September 15,2010 | 01:56 AM
If padilla was flying then wouldn't he have turned the transponder on if he was crashing in the atlantic? I'm sure he would have sent a distress call if something was going wrong. That's the only reason that makes me believe the plane is out there, and hopefully so is Ben.
Posted by Leyth Yousif on September 15,2010 | 01:57 AM
bermuda triangle but in air?....interesting article....it should be followed up
Posted by on September 15,2010 | 02:00 AM
Sorry for those families missing loved ones....this includes the family of John Mikel Mutantu. The fact that he is from Congo does not make him a culprit...just a caution for those with western centric views!!!!
Posted by Maru on September 15,2010 | 02:03 AM
Maybe the gov. paid the insurance company more money than was paid out to plane owner, in order to keep Insurance agents quiet on the plane's location. After all, insurance companies would do their own investigation on a dissapearance such as this. They would need to know something too. Ask yourselves if your father would work for the Government ... and if so, would he give up his family or even his life for it? Could have been gov. agents on the plane taking it over. Then again, could have been Mantanu double-crossing your dad, selling the plane or its parts to the highest bidder. BTW... a plane that size dissapearing after 9/11 would have been a major national media and gov. upheaval. I don't recall hearing much on it; a 747 would have been missile-targeted within minutes of departure anyway, esp. if terrorist were poss. on board. Maybe that's your answer.
Either way, once you know too much, there's no going back.
Best Wishes!
Posted by John on September 15,2010 | 02:03 AM
Disappeared? This is nuts! It didn't disappear. It was repainted and a few months later landed at Harare International Airport enroute to Equitorial Guinea with 72 mercenaries - led by Simon Mann.
Anybody remember? Zimbabwe was accused of being paranoid when the plane was searched. The cargo enboard was clearly different to what the plane's manifest said. Mark Thatcher (son of Margret Thatcher) ended up being implicated in the plot to fly the mercenaries to EGuinea to over throw the government.
The press are simply dodging the crimes this plane is involved in.
Posted by Brian Sheriff on September 15,2010 | 02:04 AM
Disappeared? This is nuts! It didn't disappear. It was repainted and a few months later landed at Harare International Airport enroute to Equitorial Guinea with 72 mercenaries - led by Simon Mann.
Anybody remember? Zimbabwe was accused of being paranoid when the plane was searched. The cargo enboard was clearly different to what the plane's manifest said. Mark Thatcher (son of Margret Thatcher) ended up being implicated in the plot to fly the mercenaries to EGuinea to over throw the government.
The press are simply dodging the crimes this plane is involved in. The Padilla family are either incredible actors or super naive.
Posted by Brian Sheriff on September 15,2010 | 02:04 AM
According to an African jump pilot who fly's cargo jet's in Africa, this 727 aircraft (tail # 844AA) was spotted by him undergoig repairs at the airport in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...He states that it was towed by him while he was refueling there...He states that the paint was mostly stripped from the aircraft but the tail # was still visible...Holly Padilla, you might want to contact this man- he has posted here and can be contacted through the forums there (this is a forum for commercial pilots working in Africa) Here is the url. for the thread where he describes the aircraft:
http://www.flyafrica.info/forums/showthread.php?t=30572
Good luck; Bubba Ray Gonsales.
Posted by BubbaRay on September 15,2010 | 02:05 AM
I have lived in Africa for 3 years and know anything is possible to have happened there. I know that that is a dead airspace when it comes to radar. The plane literaly could have flown out and no other airport would know where it was. As to the US Intel community, they are not omnipotent, they truly could be in the dark too. As to the USG stealing a plane, not going to happen. I am interested in the comment above that says Mutantu is in an Abuja prison. Follow up?
Posted by EK on September 15,2010 | 02:05 AM
My take, and pardon if I reiterate another's comments as I have not read all the threads (way too long) is that perhaps it is as the family believes...that the plane was stolen prior to departure and that the individuals, Padilla and his co-pilot, were kidnapped and possibly murdered as this is common in Africa still...the plane was dismantled and sold as parts since this would be valuable to those that did the kidnapping... but why can it not be solved by tracking down serial numbers for all parts as they are kept by parts traders in databases to locate the whereabouts of these parts? If just one part turns up is a huge clue! Time consuming yes, but its in the fine details that the answers exist. I did this for a logistics computer company and was able to track computers and all of its accessory parts in order to hold the Manufacturer liable for Warranties and saved the company face, time, and money. Trust me its worth it.
Posted by KL on September 15,2010 | 02:06 AM
I can only think that someone forced the pilot to try to fly this enormous plane, and he failed. This is really a shame.... and very sad for the family.....
Posted by Eileen Wisdom on September 15,2010 | 02:09 AM
As miscellaneous contractors we forget certain jobs come with risks at different levels. I find it very difficult to believe not one person felt there was something strange about the "job" itself. As world travelers we come to find certain parts of the world simply survive by unconventional means. What ever involvement the 3 letter agency's had "if" any I'm sure it's in they're best interest to assist in finding a lost loved. Cover up or not, the financial set back for a case like this will out weigh the justification for the spending. I really do sympathize for anyone who looses a loved one "if" that is the case. Take this how ever you please, Most of us who partake in clandestine or dangerous "jobs" know we are rolling the dice and simply love the thrill of chasing the dollar until our sun sets. In this case unless your father has been secretly working for a 3 letter agency all his life and never told ANYONE and is in hiding mode, I believe his sun has set. Good Luck Holley
Posted by Vegas Joe on September 15,2010 | 02:11 AM
I just hope our enemies never get their hands on any big planes again, since they seem so hard to track. (not reassuring)
After 911, I had hoped we closed up the 'big low and slow" window in our defenses by now.
This rises to the level of "misplacing 9 BILLION in cash" without any paper trail. I would sure as hell like a public interview with the last guy KNOWN to have control of it.
I know for sure, if I had 9 billion I could buy for cash a 727 delivered !
I have no idea if these coincide, but,suddenly I'm curious.
Posted by hardwroc on September 15,2010 | 02:16 AM
No private pilot without at least some training in complex aircraft would be able to take off in a 727. It would be a great deal of busy work for one qualified pilot to fly this jet alone. Someone else must have been aboard and my bet the CIA knows who that pilot was.
Posted by Tim O. Nowland on September 15,2010 | 02:25 AM
hey, I 've flown into Congo a few times for UN operations on B767s, that place is no man's land and it is a dangerous place. Governments such as the US, China, and a few others have stakes on it and I'm sure have all of it covered, too much uranium hidden there that they're trying to control.
The UN peace keeping soldiers I flew into there where really not keeping peace but keeping control of keeping other hands out of possesing the uranium.
I have a feeling your Dad is somewhere in Brazil after a good payoff and new identity to let the airplane go to secret buyers, government agencies? Possible.
I'm sure he was an honest guy but if given the choice of cooperating with them or getting shot, he'd take the first choice, I would have..
Posted by Enrique on September 15,2010 | 02:25 AM
The problem is no one is responsible for an investigation and the intelligence agencies don't share info. The US gov't needs to form a seperate team to investigate this.
Posted by john moross on September 15,2010 | 02:26 AM
i hope they find your father alive and well. my prayers are with you. dont give up hope!! xD
Posted by jocey on September 15,2010 | 02:27 AM
This is a great wonder to say the ieast. How is it possible for a big plane like a 727 just disappear like that without a trail? May be some people are waiting for the right time to use the plane for terrorist act and blame it on the muslims as usual.
Posted by abdullahi on September 15,2010 | 02:27 AM
Its a missing plane. Ofcourse they know where it is. They can find a car in NY city and follow it. You could have found that plane with a 1945 air flight radar without having went to grade school. The stories BS and noones quoted directly, just what the reported said they said. "Its being used in drug transport operations" as told to me by Osama Bin laden lastnight during tea and crumpets. Experience is true knowledge.
Posted by Bradley Price on September 15,2010 | 02:28 AM
Just 2 fed up, then skipped town.
Posted by L L. on September 15,2010 | 02:28 AM
if Mutantu is in prison in Lagos,what is so difficult in finding him as he has the answers.Good luck in finding your father.it will be interesting to see how the truth unfolds here. with all the resources FBI&CIA have,but they still wont comment,quite bizzare
Posted by vinc on September 15,2010 | 02:29 AM
Sounds like the plot from the W.E.B. Smith Book, the Presidents Man
Posted by Spence on September 15,2010 | 02:29 AM
The American governments have always promoted double standards which is not nice. i pray TO THE ALMIGHTY GOD to strengthen Padilla's family and keep him safe if he is still alive and let a reunion with his family be possible. And lastly if he was a government agent let the government make that clear.
Posted by Richard on September 15,2010 | 02:31 AM
hope u find ur father some day...and i hope iam wrong.... but i belive the goverment has a hand in this some how... probley shot the plane down
Posted by tony on September 15,2010 | 02:32 AM
there is no way that a plane like that could just go missing especially after 911. weak cover-up attempt. the diamond business is dirty anyway. it doesn't surprise me.
Posted by Rob mosier on September 15,2010 | 02:33 AM
I pray they are in good hands. Someday things will clear up.
Posted by Greta Mars on September 15,2010 | 02:36 AM
I BELIEVE PADILLA HAD A JET TO DELIVER AND THOUGHT,"I KNOW THE BASICS OF FLYING AN AIRCRAFT. "LET'S DO IT." HOWEVER THE 727 LET HIM KNOW OVER THE SEA THAT WASN'T ENOUGH. SADLY
THE OIL SLICK TOLD THE STORY TO HOMELAND SECURITY FROM THE SATELLITE PHOTOS AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANYMORE REASON TO PURSUE THE ISSUE. THAT SIMPLE.
Posted by DEBI STILES on September 15,2010 | 02:36 AM
"Cover-up"!!! Something stinks to high heaven. Never heard of this disappearance!!!!
Posted by Tommie on September 15,2010 | 02:37 AM
In this era where everyone is being watched via satellite EYE, a plane that big cannot just vanish without being noticed. I'm sure Pentagon do have some record. Re-opening of the case may be fruitful. Good luck Holley Padilla.
Posted by Azim H Pervez on September 15,2010 | 02:38 AM
It's a shame that some people can have such a high disreguard for a humans life. To Steal a plane, you must take out two people, to do it? Life is to short already!Who ever is involved, Their judgement day is comming...
Posted by K.Evans on September 15,2010 | 02:39 AM
Most importantly I hope that the family of Ben Padilla receives word of his whereabouts, although it could be a tragic ending they will have closure and hopefully will be able to cope and recover from this terrible ordeal.
I, like some of the other readers of this story, do not recall any media coverage whatsoever of this incident when it took place in 2003.
This whole story is suspicious, to say the least, from the very beginning.
There are many twists, turns, persons, companies, government agencies and large sums of money involved which can only be undone / resolved by the same efforts that went into getting the situation to where it is now / today.
Although many valid points / observations were made by other readers, the government conducted any / all investigations that were planned so unfortunately you (Ben's family) are not likely to get any / more answers unless large sums of money are used in conjunction with private investigations.
To those of you who do not have anything sincere or kind to say to the family (the victims of this horrible mess) spare them and everyone else reading this story from your sarcasim, foolishness and blatant disregard for humanity by keeping your words to yourselves!
Regarding: "Sorry about your brother Holly." Posted by veegee on September 15,2010 | 04:08PM ... you are most likely being sincere however, Holly is Ben Padilla's daughter not his sister.
Posted by head on September 15,2010 | 02:40 AM
Voila! i have always known! They start small and now they are pinching an occassional boeing.
Had always known that whoever it is that steals one of my socks shall get away with something bigger. And while you are at it please ban the sale and distribution of microsoft flightsim X. i do regurlay fly a boeing in and out of military airfields around the globe single handed, thanks god i dont have the zeal to hop a real one over an airport fence...,at least not for now! i have the skill and private ratings to do that.
Posted by gitonga on September 15,2010 | 02:40 AM
wow may i say this is an amazing story woman why didnt u post this years ago get ahold of the president lol im sorry this isnt funny i just do not understand how this could happen yeah u hear or airplane crashes in the old days but two thing are bafffling me i never heard about this and it is not the old days were in the 2000's u mean they know about a ship sinking and not an airplain falling out of the sky supposebly or whatever happened to it dont lose faith ull find out one day weather its here on earth or up in the sky pray to god maybe hell give u dreams for ur answer god works in mysterious ways good luck sorry for to hear about ur dad i hope u fing something out i wonder if u can digg into it deeper go to the world news write them obviously u di thts how im reading this article good luck
Posted by shelby on September 15,2010 | 02:41 AM
my say is, this flying machine will be discovered after 200 years.. how old will you be??
Posted by zepop on September 15,2010 | 02:41 AM
Is there any connection to this with the two 727-200's sitting out on the tarmac in West Africa? There was two 727's on lease out to a So-Called African business man named Foutanga Dit Babani Sissoko AKA Baba Sissoko who in-turned held an American Pilot to get ownership of the aircraft (but I do believe there was more to the story). See Nashville Scene, Feb 2005, "OUT OF AFRICA" by Steven Womack and "The Baba Chronicles (Part 1)", Sep 97, and "The Baba Chronicles (Part 2)", Nov 97, by Jim DeFede (Miami New Times, I think) to get the full story. Mrs. Holley Padilla or anyone else knows, please let me or Steven Womack (who has an offical website).
Posted by A. W. on September 15,2010 | 02:42 AM
This is a great artical. It would be totaly awsome if they could find out what happend, and then make a good movie out of this story.
Posted by Corey on September 15,2010 | 02:44 AM
JN, read the FARS. You must be at least a Commercial Pilot to have a type rating. John Travolta has an ATP certificate.
The poor guy was a mechanic who happened to have a private ticket. His new helper was also in the wrong place at the wrong time. As far as the plane is concerned, I think that it was stolen for parts. All of our old 727 hand-me-downs are now all over the world. There are very few still operating here in the US and most of those are broken down old freighters, charters to Mexico, or flown by rich guys with way too much money and burn it up on fuel and maint.
Record keeping is pretty much none existant on aircraft and their parts in 3rd world countries. You cant buy a part in the US for a Kingair 90 without a serial number let alone a 727. There is no way someone in a foreign country could buy 727 parts from here in the US without an aircraft serial number. Every single aircraft made, especially larger cabin class turbo props, corporate jets, and airliners, have a very long and extensive paper trial and anyone in the parts or maint. business knows each of those aircraft almost personally.
Like I said, I think that the two mechanics were in the wrong place at the wrong time. As mentioned the aircraft was in steller AA 121 kept condition. Pretty easy to get some masking tape, a little paint, change some of the stripes, the N number, and come up with a set of log books in the middle east or Africa. They could have turned that aircraft into another another one in a matter of hours.
Stealing it would worth the three engines alone. Who ever stole it would also be in spare parts for years. I think that the "pealing out of the parking lot" was just for a diversion. They knew exactly what they were stealing and where they were going with it hence it has never been found. I am very sorry for the families of the two gentalmen that were there just doing a job.
Posted by Jim on September 15,2010 | 02:47 AM
AWESOME........Fully Planned & executed .......!!!!
Do you think that the FBI's or CIA's doesn't have a full fledged report on what actually happened ...... its all cover up bcoz this is something which will jeopardize the country's reputation in front of its own countrymen......
Definetely a FOWL PLAY went WRONG....... !!!
Well presented report though .......... Cheers for that and sorry for the still grieving family........!!!!
Posted by Jack Lupino on September 15,2010 | 02:49 AM
Amnesty International lists Air Gemini as an airline with permission to land in US. Military bases and speculates that it is used for contracting "torture and dissapearences".
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR51/051/2006
Air Gemini is also banned from EU airports. Why?
Posted by David on September 15,2010 | 02:49 AM
I cant stop thinking of the new worker from the Congo.Take out the other 2 and fly off to use the plane for something bad.A plane that size is capable of mass ordinance air blasts 2 or 3 times bigger than MOAB.Might not be a bad idea to locate it rite quick like
Posted by Jimmy Russell on September 15,2010 | 02:50 AM
First of all - regrets for the family's loss.
Next, at the time of the plane's disappearance, Air Traffic Control at the airport was minimal - as it was throughout Angola and in most fo the continent. The government of Angola was not too interested in control of airspace after peace broke out because it would track all the illegal movements of diamond and weapons dealers - including those linked to the Government.
It seems, however, that the general direction of the aircraft was "out to sea." If that's the case then a loss a sea, without furhter detection, radio contact, transponders, etc it would be next to impossible to find a downed aircraft. A good example of this was the French commercial airliner that went down recently off South America. Even with all precise navigational and positional data available it still took weeks to nail down where the crash occurred.
If the plane routed back to Africa, and if someone speaks out then good for the family. Otherwise it does not seem likely it will be found.
That said, do not overlook the odd business aspects mentioned in the articla as well as Angolan links to Cuba and South America. If there was in fact conspiracy to steal this plane then the likely culprits are drug cartel, followed by the arms runners in Africa.
Posted by Joseph on September 15,2010 | 02:51 AM
ha,ha, with todays technology? even if all of its lights and the transponder is turned off the plane could be very well followed by radar, triangulation or by another scrambled military aircraft if it flew in its own… one more thing, what’s with our global positioning sat… i’m sorry holly but i believe your dad’s plane did’nt go missing… it was intended to be missing…
Posted by jorey on September 15,2010 | 02:52 AM
So sorry for your loss Holley and Benita. It is definitely an interesting story, and does sound like it would make a great mystery movie. I don't ever remember hearing about it. I am just a little confused about something. If Jeff Swain had fired Ben in the 90s, why would he agree to work with him again? My thoughts are that the plane was hijacked and it crashed. I really hope you can find the answers and get some closure.
Posted by Heather on September 15,2010 | 02:52 AM
you guys always keep Africa in your stories of bad reputation, after corrupting the people of Africa, use the African to cover up for your dirty theft. you leave us alone and stop painting us the black sheep in the world.........
Posted by brown on September 15,2010 | 02:52 AM
It's an unbelievably story. Somebody should make a movie out of this, before I do.
Posted by Mungai Kiroga on September 15,2010 | 02:52 AM
I am so touched, i think this aircraft is still in one piece. coz there cuold have been at list components of the aircraft discoverd to explain a crash.
Posted by Robert Jokomo on September 15,2010 | 02:52 AM
SEVEN GOOD YRS after the incident u're still talking about this 727 case,& the"XPATS"hv not come up wit anything tangible so far.Methinks THIS A GOOD STORY that can make vendors visit their BANKS.
The PARTIES to this biz KNOW where the AIRCRAFT IS PERIOD!
Posted by Damian on September 15,2010 | 02:53 AM
Sorry for the Padillas famliy. Shame on those that have a
cover on this.
Sound's like the Hoffa story, missins since July 30th 1975
Posted by frank J wsol on September 15,2010 | 02:58 AM
One of three trails to follow: The Money trail, The Cover-up trail or the Common Sense trail.
The pilot was forced to fly (or something similar) and it ended up in the ocean.
I am so sorry about your family's loss.
Posted by colette on September 15,2010 | 02:59 AM
Mutantu knows everything, since he is in prison, alive and talking, he should provide all the details, failing which, he should face the death penalty or taken to the notorious Guatamala prison before it closes down.
Posted by MOLAPO on September 15,2010 | 02:59 AM
Holley: I feel your grief and frustration. Its hard to wait and wonder when you know that someone out there must know the truth. Its possible that your Father is alive,but he knows to much and can not come to you for fear of endangerment.Where ever he is his heart aches for the family. You are in my prayers.
Posted by Diana on September 16,2010 | 03:00 AM
An intresting story,alot of things happen these days,we're in end time.......those guys could be up to some kind of games,funny enough the FBI and CIA couldnt come up with any gud report.......bizare
Posted by promise on September 16,2010 | 03:01 AM
ROFLOL sorry my sense of humor has overwhelmed me... we can find ONE cow with mad cow disease after its been slaughter, packaged shipped afar... eatten...disgested... but we cant find a BIG air plane... yea right! Plz lets get real.. OUR government knows exactly what happen and where that plane is today. Oh and what about the radar system....did the blip just disapear off the screen lol and know one thought it was ODD and didnt send anything up to check it out...
I think I'll go ask Alice... LOL I'll get a better idea of what really happen. geez
Posted by Ramz Martin on September 16,2010 | 03:01 AM
Can someone somewhere turn this storry into a book and make lots of money!It is interesting although i am sorry for the lost family member.
Posted by almas on September 16,2010 | 03:02 AM
very interesting and yes!! someone definately knows "something" about the whereabouts of this aircraft.
Posted by ldemontiney on September 16,2010 | 03:04 AM
727 is a classic hijack special plane ,preferred by so many who have jumped from the rear entry door with loot while flying over Naveda,but this is not the first story that I have heard, there is the case of a Capt Richard Khan who disappered in Dubai in the early 80's..leaving a 707 parked with his flight engineer short of 6 months pay hanging around the duty free shops...
Posted by Moby Dick on September 16,2010 | 03:04 AM
My heart goes out to the families in the heat of this case. I am surprised (or rather disappointed)that ALMIGHTY America could not get to the roots of this case (or so they claim. I thought such inabilities were meant for africa only. For the families, I share in your moments of pain. Nothing is too difficult for, or impossible with GOD. Keep your faith and Hope high.
Posted by Venyir on September 16,2010 | 03:05 AM
This should serve as an eye opener to all Agences involved in the aviation industry and also posses a big question mark as to the eficacy of the global satalite system except if indeed there is a cover up. I just pray for strenght for the families of the victims, and hope that the truth will surface some day.
Posted by Julius Okojie on September 16,2010 | 03:06 AM
The goverment knows what real happed.Just covering up
something. Let us just pray for the poor souls
Posted by HENRY NYAKUDYA on September 16,2010 | 03:06 AM
glancing through this article i saw no mention of the FAA. i thought their jurisdiction trumped any other gov. org. and remained active until solved. i can't remember any aircraft disappearance w/o cause or resolution from this entity. although this flight originated in africa, american citizens were involved. this story pales in comparison as to why there are 80,000 somalians living here in columbus ohio funded by the u.s. govt. nobody is investigating that story.
Posted by david foster on September 16,2010 | 03:06 AM
How could this story not be one so well known that it sticks out in one's mind? How, during the most "secure" time in history for airports, can an airliner disappear and no one in the public even know about it. Something's fishy about that. Looks like someone screwed up. Big. If that thing crashed into the ocean transponder off, no one's gonna find it. That Air France flight had it's transponder on and most of the wreckage, and the passengers are still there in the ocean. Very interesting story to say the least.
Posted by Sabrina on September 16,2010 | 03:10 AM
Wow, appears to be a royal government cover up mixed with
a dash of corporate criminal greed. But that seems tobe the order of the day. In any event, my thoughts and prayers are with the victums familys.
Posted by Bruno on September 16,2010 | 03:11 AM
If,for whatever reason,this remains a mystery,it was classified as TOP SECRET and will never be unraveled because
it is NOT FOR PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE as it would change history.
Example of this is why was John Kennedy Jr,his wife and sister-in -law,and the plane never taken from the deep off
Marthas Vineyard and why was Uncle TED the only person allowed to view the site or be at the burial site?The only
reason,I suspect is the government knew, he,Ted would keep the secret,as I am sure they knew he was sick with Brain Cancer and would not tell and take it to his grave.I do not believe,how so many in 1 family could die,if someone or something did not benefit,or history be changed.A REVERED SENATORS SEAT given up to a GUY with a pickup truck from MASSACHUSETTS!Whose wife(by the way)A MEDIA REPORTER in BOSTON(Now State Senators Wife)how interesting? MARILYN MONROE and Mr.PRESIDENT,then suddenly commits suicide?PLEASE!PETER LAWFORD?IT goes on and on.MAY YOUR FATHER REST IIN PEACE OR HAVE PEACE WHERE EVER HE MAY BE.
Posted by John on September 16,2010 | 03:18 AM
In this day and age there is no excuse that an air craft that big would not be found be it In the sea or land and whichever state it may be, I find this very unacceptable, if they can find the titanic then for sure some body knows where this plane is, I feel sorry for the families who up to day to not have closure, is somebody trying to cover something? Airport security how did the plane take off? How long does it take for air craft that size to take off from zero speed to airborne? Surely there is a military base nearby or maybe know African set up the military may even be using the same air port, my point is why didn’t they report immediate so that the air force can follow and force them to turn round and land???? I would really like to know the closure of this story and not just closing the case with a dead end report
Posted by ARTHUR on September 16,2010 | 03:18 AM
This is a very well written article/story. I think that the gossip in regards to Mr. Padilla having families is there only to distract and defame his character. If anything, perhaps those family's locations are hints to where he had been forced to travel, like a trail if you would. Diamond mines have criminal connections despite how much they say that they are regulated and so forth. Anyone involved in such a transaction would have had to have known how dangerous this would have been. Mr. Padilla sounds to have been a victim of the government's unethical money transactions. They (the gov) most likely sold the plane and therefore it mysteriously dissappeared. Let's get real. The government does not lose track of planes. There's too much technology available for a craft of that size to not be detected. However, we know the gov has sold weapons and supplies to other countries on the down low in the past, so why would they not sell planes? It's all corrupt. Only God knows for sure. The amount of fuel on board was like winning the lottery for the mines and therefore, if the plane wasn't sold, then it was stolen for the fuel.
Posted by Mia on September 16,2010 | 03:22 AM
We all need to open up our eyes and see that america is under attack by people and situations that want to take away the very freedom that a lot of our people died for trying to give us. Money makes the world go round and some people will do anything for it, Money truly is the root of all evil!! wake up people dont sell your souls!!!!
Posted by eric on September 16,2010 | 03:23 AM
please be advised- I have moved OCONUS due to extenuating circumstances I cannot disclose at this time. This is due in part to an occurrence near territorial waters Randy @7:06 refers to on a non specific date. Just find closure in the fact that 4 alpha alpha was was smoked AND there were survivors.
Posted by Mikeb on September 16,2010 | 03:26 AM
Interesting that there is not a transponder override on all aircraft?
Posted by Eric on September 16,2010 | 03:28 AM
Did someone say missing? I was raised with nothing and anything of value quickly became someone more deserving than me. I wish I could redeem a fraction of what that plane cost or it's worth. Towards my lifelong pursuit of the american dream.
Posted by carlos on September 16,2010 | 03:30 AM
This is lfe here and the government is diplomatic and smart about if actully they have information concerning the disappearing. Wish the truth will be told.
Posted by nelson chiawalam on September 16,2010 | 03:34 AM
Lets hope your father will be back home, God is with you.
Posted by Eunice on September 16,2010 | 03:36 AM
in Muntu's Sept 11, 2010 comment at the link http://www.flyafrica.info/forums/showthread.php?t=30572 he says that while his plane was refueling he saw the plane next to his three weeks ago at the Kinshasa airport. He goes on to indicate that the plane was then towed back to the military apron.
I'm just an amateur, but on Google Earth there does appear to be a 727 on the military apron at the north end of the Kinshasa airport. Among the military aircraft you can see the silhouette of a what may be a 727.
Can anyone confirm that this is the silhouette of a 727 (not the characteristic high tail), and does anyone on the ground there have the ability to check the tail number if it is indeed a 727?
Posted by B on September 16,2010 | 03:41 AM
I do not understand, Jean Mutamtu was in the airplane which vanished and again we here that Jean Mutantu is in prison in Abuja and we cant get to what happened to the plane...?????
Posted by Chitundu on September 16,2010 | 03:42 AM
From what I could understand, the crew were overpowered and the plane was smuggled out of the country. Crew were attacked in the cockpit which is why it moved erratically. The transponders were shut down to avoid detection. It should be agents in Angola itself behind this. They knew if the plane leaves the country they will never get it.
Posted by Jacob on September 16,2010 | 03:42 AM
Speculation. That's all we really have here. Foregoing the possibility of a massive insurance fraud, a deep and dark government error and even darker coverup, a frightening and unexplained terrorist operation or a plot elusive movie treatment, guessing is what one is left holding. My speculation is pilot error or mechanical failure leaving the plane and those on it deep in the ocean. Too simple? Pehaps - however with all theories explored usually the simplest is correct (sound familiar?). My thoughts and prayers are with the families.
Posted by Claude on September 16,2010 | 03:42 AM
I have found this story more like something in the book or film were the director does not know how it ends. There is a possibility that; 1. There is an 'insurance fraud'
2. The situation as it was presented an opportunity for these guys looking at how they were treated in the whole deal, to escape and cash in on the plane. I don't think something bad happened to the plane and its crew.
Posted by Payne Chanda on September 16,2010 | 04:27 AM
i think this was an incident of fraud insurance and presumptive death as well.
Posted by butch on September 16,2010 | 04:32 AM
it was been a very sad experienced, for your family Holley,but don't lose hope.. who knows that oneday your father will come back alive.. just pray & believed to the power of HIM who created us all..GOD blessed you & your family...
Posted by nesafer philppines on September 16,2010 | 04:47 AM
Very interesting piece. Let keep on looking for them.Wonders they say will never end.
Posted by Bosco on September 16,2010 | 04:49 AM
"No Comment," by all the agencies who might have knowledge of the events surrounding this "disappearance"? The story smacks of subterfuge and with far too many unanswered questions, it has all the earmarks of a massive cover-up. By whom? Take your pick! I'll bet the US government has a sizable role in this story. Like many of the people before me who have commented, there has been nothing in the media about this story until now, and only because a family member continues to ask the questions. What a story! The Padilla family wants and deserves answers.
Posted by Lulu on September 16,2010 | 04:51 AM
When a plane of this size and complexity needs parts they need a serial# to identify the production date! I'm sure this has been looked at, unless a similar plane was made before or after and its' serial# is being used to obtain parts for 844AA to keep it operational?!
Posted by ltg123 on September 16,2010 | 04:53 AM
Why do we live in a world like this? where things like an air craft and its crew can just fly and get missing all these years with no word,leaving relatives still worried and wondering, and cant even tell whether their dad is dead or still alive,God save us.The FBI/CIA must know somethings about this and keeping it,they are full of tricks and conspiracies with wild criminals world wide I bet you.The bosses of the FBI/CIA only clear their conscience when they are about to die and confess their sins and end up by writing story book for the world to amuse themselves with.
Thank you George in Ghana.
Posted by George Amoah on September 16,2010 | 04:58 AM
It must be difficult writing about a story that hasn't come to a conclusion yet. But I really am bummed that a Whisperjet was trashed because of the actions of a bunch of individuals with, how shall we say, questionable reputations? The 727-200 is not a plane that can take off or land on rough or short runways. Have you ever seen one take off? Now, compare that with an MD-80 and it's rapid climbing rate after takeoff. Pratt and Whitney engines were great during their day, kind of like having an old 60s/70s GM gem car with the Rocket 350 engine . Honestly, the 727-200 is a plane for the very choosiest of fliers who like to make their guests as well as themselves comfortable on any given flight. The engines are in the back and are very quiet, even during takeoff and landing. It also avoids a lot of turbulence during the flight path. That plane will not safely fly into or out of small airports. It needs almost as much runway space as it's descendent, the 747-400. If I had the choice of having a private jetliner, I would definitely choose the 727-200. I think I have the same taste for flying as Forbes did. Somebody should wring the necks of the people that trashed that gorgeous, majestic "Whisperjet."
Posted by Wayne Gearhart on September 16,2010 | 05:13 AM
excellent report, you kept me awake i needed something to read
Posted by beto on September 16,2010 | 05:13 AM
A very well researched and written story. I'm a journalist who has reported extensively throughout Africa and know how challenging it can be. Well done sir!
Posted by Chris on September 16,2010 | 05:43 AM
Erratic taxing doesn't mean it would have crashed in Atlantic, using an autopilot or even without it, takeoff is relatively easier than landing it for anyone familiar with the controls and some flying experience.
Posted by BPatel on September 16,2010 | 06:22 AM
The deal had just too many loose ends to result into un-success story. WHILE!!! ill-plans or a chance of crushing into the ocean without tress are all possible. Hope somebody help hint the where-abouts of Padill.
Posted by Joseph on September 16,2010 | 06:27 AM
This does not seem to make sense. Did the agencies talk to all the people involved who have been mentioned in this article? From the look of things, this story is one of blood diamonds. That world is ruled by the devil and no sane person would associate with it for any reason! and guess what? The African big man might just be the guy we are looking for.
Posted by Francis on September 16,2010 | 06:50 AM
FAMILY MEMEBERS CONTACT THE MCCABE INSTITUTE.....
Posted by on September 16,2010 | 07:54 AM
I remember that story. Padilla was a flight engineer on the 72 and knew that aircraft well. Chances are than on previous flights other crewmembers let him fly the aircraft, so the theory of him crashing for not knowing how to fly the aircraft does not hold any water. To me either he was shot down or someone was inside that aircraft with the intent to make Padilla fly the 72 to another destination to have the aircraft stolen.
Posted by Bernie Merida on September 16,2010 | 08:02 AM
So they want us to believe this. With suphisticated technologies, google earth, drones etc, the CIA, FBI, NSA, InterPol, MOSAd, etc couldn't get to the bottom of this? Some of these guys, either intelligent personnels, or agents are supposed to be behind bars. They commit more crimes than most normal citizens.
Posted by Sandem on September 16,2010 | 08:19 AM
Most of the aircraft parts are serialized. It would be rather simple to get the configuration data from American Airlines and check with the various parts manufacturers if any parts have been returned for repair since the aircraft disappeared. Follow the parts trail and you will find the aircraft. Of course, the CIA, FBI, and all the other alphabet soup agencies know these things. Sounds to me like either it disappeared over water, or the American government does not want to found.
Posted by Larry on September 16,2010 | 08:22 AM
the story seams to be a sweet work of fiction. the said African region could offer an ideal movie-shooting-site for the same. i may be wrong in my take over the story but why wasn't this captured by the world media including this african region that i just neirbour? however sorry to the Padilla family if this is a true story.
Posted by mukura on September 16,2010 | 08:40 AM
It was stolen to be parted out - probably worth more as spare parts than the airplane itself.
This Ben character probably flew it by himself, since he knew the systems, then took the cash for the spare parts and probably took a new identity to get away with it.
A 727 crash is too big to go un-noticed, even in the ocean, there would have been floating wreckage.
Posted by Pete on September 16,2010 | 08:53 AM
Attempting to fly a B727 jet, "Ben Charles Padilla, a certified flight engineer, aircraft mechanic, and private pilot took off southwest into the sunset, over the ocean...." There is little chance that a PRIVATE Pilot, most probably without an instrument rating, and virtually zero experience of handling a large jet, could escape certain spatial disorientation at night over the ocean. Assuming that the autopilot was working and was engaged, and that there were no sytem failures, there would be other issues of levelling off at altitude and of setting cruise thrust, and of proper navigation. Assuming that he knew how to work the navigation system and correctly couple it to the autopilot; the next issue would be of running out of fuel over the ocean and ditching, or crash landing on land somewhere. If this PRIVATE Pilot had no hands-on training in operating the controls, he would not be able to land the airplane successfully, much less ditch the airplane at night without catastrophic effect.
Posted by GlueBall on September 16,2010 | 09:25 AM
Wow what a story. I have not heard the name Mike Gabriel in about 15 years. Last I knew he was working in South Africa. I know that part of the world has different rules then the safe USA. Anything can happen in a world with out law & when the cost of human life is low.
Posted by S. R. McNew on September 16,2010 | 09:40 AM
wow, I can't believe something like this can happen... wait... actually i CAN believe it! Unfortunately, our government has warped from a system that was for the people and by the people to an entity that has so many mysterious coverups, money-hungry politicians and corruption aplenty. My heart goes out to Padilla's family.
Posted by rainy on September 16,2010 | 11:07 AM
Wow ! What a story. This has all the makings of a great book/movie deal all over it. Can I have the rights ?
Posted by Jeff on September 16,2010 | 11:43 AM
Even though I didn't take the full time to read everyone's comment, I scrolled and quick-scanned the other comments so forgive me if I missed someone saying this already.
There is a lengthy remarkable book where this 'disappearing' plane trick was honed into perfection during the MENA incident in Arkansas.
Terry Reed, author of 'Compromised' detailed out the stealing and switching of aeroplanes by our own intelligence agencies. He also explains the 'cloaking' capabilities as well.
Trust no one.
Posted by thee navigator on September 16,2010 | 12:56 PM
My guess is that it was smuggled out of Angloa to be used as a Black Plane by the U.S. govt..They had one of these planes that was a huge scandal in Portland,Ore because the FBI/CIA were using it for terroist related activities..This Black plane had No N number and it's ownership was never really traced..Mabey this is what happend to this poor 727..Mabey the govt decided who would miss this troubled aircraft
Posted by Leo Driedric on September 16,2010 | 01:01 PM
Plane in terrorism scare turns up sporting a respray
James Astill in Freetown The Guardian, Monday 7 July 2003
A Boeing 727 cargo plane which caused panic among US intelligence agencies after mysteriously disappearing from Angola's main airport turned up last week in Guinea, the Guardian can reveal.
The plane, which was feared to be in the hands of international terrorists, was spotted on June 28 in Conakry, Guinea's capital, by Bob Strother, a Canadian pilot. It had been resprayed and given the Guinean registration 3XGOM. But at least the last two letters of its former tail-number, N844AA, were still showing.
The plane, which was recently converted into a fuel tanker, was said to be owned by a member of West Africa's Lebanese business community, and was being used to shuttle goods between Beirut and Conakry, according to Mr Strother.
"There's absolutely no doubt it's the same aircraft, the old registration is clearly visible," said Mr Strother by phone from Conakry. "Whoever owns it must have some important friends to get it re-registered in two days: going by the book, the whole process usually takes a couple of months."
Yet an American official in the region said this was the first he had heard of the plane since its disappearance from Angola's capital, Luanda, on May 25.
The Guardian was able to furnish the American official with a photograph of the mystery plane, taken by Mr Strother.
A western diplomat in Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital, said it was more likely the plane had simply been snatched from Luanda be cause its owner was reluctant to pay year-long airport taxes, totalling around £30,000.
"There's always a shady side to business around here," he said. Since being sighted last week, the plane has again taken off into obscurity.
"We only saw it that one time, now it's gone," said Mr Strother. "Maybe whoever owns it just wanted to drop by and pick up a Guinean registration for convenience. Maybe it won't be back."
Posted by Ricky on September 16,2010 | 07:13 PM
this article reads like a 007 script.
It would definitely be a $$$ grossing weekend blockbuster.
When is the release date? can't wait to watch it!
Posted by el padrino on September 16,2010 | 10:56 PM
There is a lot of conspiracy theory being generated here, but I expect the story is much simpler. If these guys can barely taxi a 727, I doubt they are going to get very far. I can't imagine that are going to be able to land it safely.
Posted by Ben on September 17,2010 | 08:01 AM
MAYBE MR PADILLA (WITH LIMITED FLYING EXPERIENCE)WERE FORCED
TO PILOT THE AIRCRAFT. IT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER ABOUT THE ERATIC TAXI ETC.
Posted by CHRIS on September 17,2010 | 09:23 AM
EDITORS' NOTE: This comment is from the article's author, Tim Wright:
Regarding the post by "Ricky" on Sept 16.
That report involving Mr. Strother was shot down conclusively. The aircraft in question "disappeared" from Guinea but was found in Beirut. It was subjected to intense scrutiny and found to be...yet another sister ship of N844AA.
This has been a huge problem in this investigation. There were numerous aircraft released by American Airlines about the same time. They all had the same paint job and had VERY similar N numbers. They have caused confusion all over Africa and if you read the forums elsewhere, you will see that folks are STILL saying they have seen the aircraft.
Posted by Tim Wright on September 17,2010 | 04:37 PM
ben was a friend of mine. we workd @ trashcan on the -8. i meet sheryl or michelle i dont remember bens girlfriends name right now. drove around miami in his camero. when we needed a truck to pawn a MLG tire we jump started a "rich" airlines mx p/u to pawn that tire & some other stuff on 36th street. ben will always be remembered by me as a gentle all knowing sort of guy who like to have fun and emblesh some of his wild stories. i hope this story has a happy ending..n
Posted by skip town on September 17,2010 | 11:29 PM
I worked with Ben at Miami Air (36th St.) on 727's before 9/11.
Don't underestimate Ben's capabilities. I believe he could have done whatever he wanted to do as far as maintenance or pilot duties. It seemed like he had knowledge and experience on all kinds of platforms, from DC-3's to DC-8's.
I hope he is still alive and someday returns to his family. He definitely was a colorful character!
Posted by Jetajeff on September 18,2010 | 03:53 AM
Excellent report, Mr. Tim Wright.
I read about this plane disappearance, but never knew the details.
A relative of mine disappeared along with a rented KingAir Beechcraft-200 (registration: D2-FFT) and two Angolan crew members while on the way back from Pointe Noire in Congo Brazzaville to Luanda in Angola. You can read the story here: http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/dubai-based-business-tycoon-disappears-1.654614
Till today, we still hope that our relative and the pilots are alive.
It is so hard to get any information from anybody in Angola.It is all full of secrecy and mystery.
If anyone reads the story, and thinks having any information about what happened to our relative, please contact us via this email address: find.rachid.moustapha.plane@gmail.com
My heart goes to the Padilla family. I know exactly what they are going through, and wish they get closure sometime soon.
Best Regards.
Posted by B.R.M. on September 18,2010 | 03:54 AM
I am an A&P mechanic, and commercial pilot. Often I know about flying a 'heavy' jet more than some rated pilots of them. My PIC is only with small planes. If Padilla could get it off the runway, he could could fly it. He knew about small arms fire near airports, so it is likely not a threat. He would avoid that. Most governments are too slow in action to choose to shoot down an airliner. They would not know the location or course. I believe in his haste to get in the air, he over-looked some critical factor. It may have been a loose interior fuel tank that shifted or a radically shift in the CG. I believe he headed out to sea for fear of being tracked. There his fuel management or an on board emergency became out of control. It also could have been not enough fuel or fuel management, and lack of navigational skills. When fleeing arrest, it is hardly time to remain cool, and act with good judgment. It would be difficult under ordinary circumstances.
Posted by George Franklin on September 18,2010 | 04:08 PM
I hope it's not the A/C that landed at night at kananga airport (congo DRC) and burst it main landing tyres and it was fixed and took off. the insidence created a trouble as the airport dons't have light at night.
the soldier at the airport ran thinking it was the rebels taking the airport like in moba in the west of congo.
i was there because my school was not very far from the airport.
I'm a congolese and an aviator, i think it time for someone to stand and say something about the black deals in the congo with an uncontroled airspace.
Posted by nick on September 18,2010 | 04:11 PM
I was a Private Pilot, and flew single engine airplanes. I also worked at a major airline, and did the aircraft technical conversion courses that our pilots did. I was invited to the simulator room one day and flew a B747 simulator (take-off, circuit and landing, following the checklists and procedures) without too much hassle at all.
A qualified B727 flight engineer with a PPL would in all likelyhood have gotten some "stick-time" especially if flying in Africa, and, in my humble opinion would have been capable of taking off, flying and navigating the B727 to a safe landing.
What is strange, is that this aircraft has been identified in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, recently, and noone seems interested in following this lead up....
Posted by Mark Fouche on September 21,2010 | 11:16 AM
Probably in South America flying drugs routed to the US and money back to South America.
Posted by C. Peirce on September 21,2010 | 04:30 PM
It was reported seen as stored at Cairo International 29/7/08 with the registration TL-ADY.
Posted by Geoff Blackmun on September 21,2010 | 06:49 PM
EDITORS' NOTE-- The following is from the article's writer, Tim Wright: Regarding the post by Mark Fouche and Geoff Blackmun on Sept 21, I am indeed following up on several new leads that have arrived since the story was posted by YAHOO. Some of these leads are quite promising. However, as I have stated before, there were many former American Airlines 727s that began operations in Africa in 2002. This airplane has been spotted from the Middle East to southern Africa. To date, every inspection has shown it NOT to be the same aircraft. Many very serious, credible people have just been incorrect in their beliefs.
That said, if the aircraft does survive to this day, it most likely would be somewhere in Africa as it would probably be quickly unmasked in most parts of the world.
Posted by Tim Wright on September 22,2010 | 11:15 AM
A previous post suggested that Padilla with his experience could have flew the aircraft out of Luanda. Yes perhaps he could have but I think he would be much smarter than to try and attempt this. I am also an A&P, Private Pilot and Professional Flight Engineer with 13,000 hrs. of flight time most of which is on heavy jets. I too have had the opportunity to fly the simulator from the left seat and fly many hours on the aircraft as well. Would I attempt to fly any of these aircraft by myself? Hell NO. The only way that I would do this is if my life was in immediate danger a gun to my head and there was no other way out. There is a reason for a 3 man crew and if anyone thinks they could just hop in and take off and fly across the ocean or across Africa then just land any old place without any problems is dreaming.I'm not saying that it is not possible with the right person in the seat but I don't believe that Padilla would have done this. My heart goes out to the family of Ben Padilla and I hope some day he will be found and the family will find closure.
Posted by Apow on September 24,2010 | 01:38 PM
I own an aircraft ferry company and have experience in these same kinds of scenarios. It is obviously a very dangerous operation to repo an aircraft in marginal airworthiness condition out of a 3rd world country. Padilla sounds like the kind of guy we would hire to do this kind of work so he was likely very experienced for this type of thing. Having operated in this business for over a decade I have dealt with many pilots and engineers like Ben. I have not doubt that Padilla could have flown the aircraft. I have seen first hand how fast emergency conditions can develop and have survived a few African repo's myself only by sheer luck. The comments by Swain have absolutely no bearing on what may have happened...to the contrary, the examples given only prove to me that he was well seasoned and cutout for this kind of work. For several years I have been checking aircraft serial numbers wherever I go in Africa...A registration number and paperwork can be easily falsified. It is doubtful that this aircraft is still out flying around.
I was in contact with Ben's brother several years ago but have lost touch. I would like to offer my continued help in finding Ben or at least finding out what happened. It is a story that hits close to my own personal and professional heart strings. More than anything, the Padilla family certainly deserves some answers and closure.
In order to help accomplish this my company, Avia Crew Leasing, will pay $10,000 usd reward to anyone providing information that proves the existence or demise of Ben Padilla. We need to keep this story going in the media to push for further investigation. I would love to see a more in depth and detailed article by Tim Wright...I hope that some publication gives him the space to do that soon.
Posted by AviaCrews on September 27,2010 | 07:58 PM
So... no follow up from Mr. Wright on the Guardian UK article?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/jul/07/jamesastill
Posted by Matthew A. Sawtell on November 2,2010 | 04:34 PM
Regarding the comment from Matthew Sawtell on Nov 2, 2010.
Matthew, it has been shown conclusively that the aircraft in the link you sent was NOT N844AA. Mr. Strother apparently fell victim to the similar tail numbers that I have mentioned before. I looked at the incident you refer to in great detail.
Posted by Tim Wright on November 12,2010 | 01:51 PM
please read this news article on drug smuggling to and from SA to Africa. It mentions a 727 being burned and abandoned in Mali.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/11/15/south-american-gangs-use-jets-secretly-fly-drugs-atlantic/?test=latestnews
Posted by Sam Bowles on November 15,2010 | 09:26 PM
I was working in Equatorial Guinea (1998) when I heard about the 727 missing. I was watching a BBC television report of a 727 that was aprehended in Harare with arms and numerous mercenaries. This was of special interest to us because they report mentioned the 727 was heading to Equatorial Guinea with the probability of these individuals possibly stiring an chane in government.
At that time, the security near our staff house was intensified.
What I did notice was that the BBC reporter mentioned a couple of times that this was a British owned and operated B-727. But I also did notice the tail number of the 727 was an American registered (N) aircraft.
I immediately thought about the 727 missing from Luanda. I did contact the CIA via email, did get a response where they asked me for my version of this story and never got a response.
I just found this strange, odd and somewhat of a coincidence....B-727 with an American registration (N) carrying weapons and with a dozens of mercenaries and where the reporter continually mentions it is a British owned and operated aircraft.
Posted by LLeigh on November 19,2010 | 02:18 PM
Regarding Sam Bowles on November 15.
Sam, I have been trying for months to identify that aircraft. The DEA either doesnt know or refuses to say. I've also contacted the UN office on drugs asking the same questions and I"m still waiting for an answer. Its very odd to me that the identity of this aircraft is being so hard to learn.
Regarding LLeigh on November 19
That 727 was involved with Simon Mann's alleged plan to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea in 2004. There is no information I am aware of that suggests that aircraft is N844AA.
Posted by Tim Wright on November 19,2010 | 06:27 PM
Great story! I never heard of this and I enjoyed reading it and of course, I want to know more about the whereabouts of the two men and this aircraft.
As another commenter wrote, "what is the new evidence?"
I used to fly out of Air Chesterfield back in the last century.....heh Tim Wright, do you fly out of Richmond?
Posted by Lakotahope on December 15,2010 | 03:29 PM
Regarding the 727 found in Mali,my sources have convinced me that the two aircraft are NOT the same. EDITORS' NOTE: The commenter is the writer of the story.
Posted by Tim Wright on January 31,2011 | 11:12 AM
To the anonymous commenter who wrote: "The jet was repossessed. I flew in it afterward. It is either in Libya or Venezuela most likely or registered at one of the two. Was flown to the Gambia to be registered to red Air. I believe they later defaulted as well. No mystery. Assigned numbers are easy in foreign countries.
Never had a license or formal training but flew numerous repoes. Would love to leave an email for verification but don't want to be deluged with crap. Will read later post. Can prove the current existence. Leave contact info in post."
You've got my attention. For the same reasons I don't want to post my email address either. You can reach me by using the magazine's feedback email under the Contact Us page, or emailing the magazine at editors@si.edu. Tim
Posted by Tim Wright on July 2,2011 | 12:15 PM
Tim,
Have you had any advances with this? I've been fascinated with this story since it first came out 8 years ago. I hope that Mr. Padilla is alive and returns to his family in Florida.
Posted by Omar on August 2,2011 | 09:44 PM
Omar, there has been some new information come to light but so far it remains a total mystery. There is reason to believe the aircraft did not crash on the night it was stolen. But where it is today is anybody's guess.
Posted by Tim Wright on August 26,2011 | 02:22 PM
I worked on a Hajj project in Nigeria with Ben Padilla and rapidly came to the conclusion that he was a fantasist of the highest order.He lived in a world of his own and had an arrogance that was beyond belief - the womanising mentioned I witnessed first hand.I found him to be difficult to work with and he treated the local staff extremely badly.For him to attempt to fly a 727 I find quite credible,for any countries intelligence service to employ him is not credible as five minutes with him would convince anyone that he was not too tightly wrapped to quote a phrase. I feel total sympathy for his family,to live with the lack of knowledge of his fate is painful to say the least and I hope that some closure may one day be found.
Posted by bcgallacher on February 14,2012 | 12:47 PM
To bcgallacher
Comments like yours are being heard more frequently.
Since this story broke, I've been repeatedly approached by people eager to share what they know but eager to remain in the shadows. The mystery surrounding Ben and the airplane has only deepened with time.
Tim Wright
Posted by Tim Wright on February 16,2012 | 03:05 PM
Fascinating article, and it has raises more questions for me. I do think that the plane still could have crashed, but finding it in the ocean would be akin to locating the proverbial needle in the haystack. If parts of the 727 were valuable, it's not surprising at all that someone thought it was worth stealing, with or without Padilla's cooperation. It sounds like there was plenty of questionable behavior to pass around amongst the various groups involved with the place (K.I., the Angolan military to name a few).
Padilla's fiscally reckless behavior in Indonesia shouldn't necessarily be overlooked either. I have no idea what parts from or the whole of a 727 is worth to an entrepreneur on the shady side of the transportation business, but someone who grows resentful and feels entitled to his share of the pie will think of and sometimes engage in dubious actions.
Is there any record of who paid the ($93,000 cash from what I can previously recall reading) amount to fully fuel up the plane? You'd think that there would have to be some signing off on documents, in order to fuel the plane up, but again that goes back to how lax and reliant on fiscal 'tips' employees of this airport seemed to be. It also wouldn't seem that Padilla would have had access to that kind of cash, but correct me if I'm wrong. Was it considered unusual or off schedule for the plane to be fueled up at that time?
Posted by lb on June 5,2012 | 08:52 PM
I have only read the article once. But, as with most believable magic, disappearing acts, and legerdemain, if the ‘con’ is preformed at the outset is successful, then you can make your audience believe anything…at any point.
I am not up on aviation but human nature is what it is. So having established my non-bona fides, how do we know the jet in question actually took off? Why does para #3 refer to ‘press reports’ as opposed to people (controllers?) in the tower who visually saw the physical plane leave the ground? Or, did they? Again I know little about flying but if the transponder is not transmitting how can anyone be ‘certain’ (as opposed to ‘sure’) that the jet that did take-off was the jet in question and not another painted to resemble it. Given the implied stakes and profits involved one can easily assume it’s easier to find a crew to do a fast paint job (or whatever) and change the external markings than the whole series of possible actions the article suggests. A bit of Occam’s razor there….
PARAGRAPH #3
According to press reports, the aircraft began taxiing with no communication between the crew and the tower; maneuvering erratically, it entered a runway without clearance. With its lights off and its transponder not transmitting, 844AA took off to the southwest, and headed out over the Atlantic Ocean. The 727 and the two men have not been seen since.
I am not suggesting all these events didn’t occur, but that all angles should be fully verified i.e. all the bizarre aspects of this case, even ones that look and sound ‘true’ and ‘real’ be checked to ensure they are indeed so. Yes, it does seem unlikely (that the jet in question never really left the ground) and being an outsider I may have missed a fact that easily proves why the jet that took off HAD to be the in the story. But I didn’t read that proof in the story. The lack of evidence of a thing only means there is no evidence, not that the thing exists or happened.
Cheers
DP
Posted by david p on June 23,2012 | 03:39 AM
Fueling? Pass a few "Benjamans" to the right hands.
ATC not notifying anyone? A few more "Benjamans". And there's no radar to speak of in Angola.
Angola Air Force? What Air Force?
PPL with Padillia's experience? I moved up to the right seat of the 727 after watching from the F/E position (as Padillia has done) for 700 hours and didn't have any trouble on my first RHS take-off/landing...
And I worked for Transafrik in 1992, so I know...IT CAN BE DONE...
P.S.- and I've met Tim Wright, and he knows of what he speaks...
Posted by Dale on October 23,2012 | 12:56 AM
lb on June 5,2012 wrote:
"Is there any record of who paid the ($93,000 cash from what I can previously recall reading)"
...None that I have been able to locate and that was one of my very first questions.
"It also wouldn't seem that Padilla would have had access to that kind of cash, but correct me if I'm wrong."
....Padilla was given significant amounts of cash to settle debts and to pay for repairs. However, how much cash he had when the aircraft departed is unknown.
"Was it considered unusual or off schedule for the plane to be fueled up at that time?"
...Not really. It was known the aircraft was being readied to leave Luanda so a normal fuel load would have seemed logical given the aircraft was scheduled to depart the next day. Even loading the internal tanks would not have seemed too crazy since that had been routine for the aircraft. Luanda had very appealing prices for fuel and if that was untrue for where the aircraft was headed,a little self refueling could make economic sense. Or, the aircraft could have delivered a last load of fuel to help defray costs.
Posted by Tim Wright on November 6,2012 | 04:03 PM
David P wrote:
"Yes, it does seem unlikely (that the jet in question never really left the ground) and being an outsider I may have missed a fact that easily proves why the jet that took off HAD to be the in the story. But I didn’t read that proof in the story. The lack of evidence of a thing only means there is no evidence, not that the thing exists or happened."
...The FBI, according to documents I read, is convinced the airplane departed. Also, the US military was sufficiently convinced that orders were given for N844AA to be shot down if spotted in flight.
Cheers,
Tim Wright
Posted by Tim Wright on November 6,2012 | 04:08 PM
Tim, thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.
From further reading about the case, there are claims of I.S. and his company's links to Maury Joseph and possibly the the 727 in question. He seems to have a fairly interesting reputation, to say the least. I'm curious how credible those connections are.
Although the plane that crashed at Cotonou was not N844AA, some theories were advanced that would seem to fit the circumstances far better than any overblown terrorist or big government conspiracy ever could. Again, I'm uncertain if that theory is smoke and mirrors or if it holds some amount of credibility.
Posted by lb on January 13,2013 | 06:17 PM
Well, the eratic moves heading to the runway lead me to believe the private pilot took the plane or was at least forced to fly it. Anyone (espeically with flight training) can taxi and take off in a plane, landing though, thats another story. Im guessing the plane is in the bottom of the ocean.
AnonMax.tk
Posted by Joe Thorn on March 23,2013 | 09:57 PM
Status update on this story--is it still lost?
Posted by JT on April 29,2013 | 09:48 PM