Bush Adventure
Well the rumor on the grapevine is that for practical and scheduling requirements it was an intersection departure, downhill and downwind with the hitherto mentioned inexperienced crew. The wind got under the big rudder on the beast which lifted the rear, making nosewheel steering an interesting experience. Instinct was to grab the tiller to restore directional control - with a little bit of left, and a bit of right, and a lot more left, and a lot more right and a little bit of up and down etc until an area of rough uneven ground got the better of the sideways forces with the end result that the main gear gave up the battle.
Avionics engineers have already removed valuable equipment, so it seems that plans to resurrect this particular phoenix are not imminent. Who knows, perhaps this really is the end of this serial number which should be good news for our friendly inspector?
Photographs were taken - but I think the French connection is being a little reserved.