View Full Version : Russians from Equatorial Africa
Speedbird48
19th Sep 2002, 20:57
An Il-86 with a 3C-??? registration arrived unanounced at Washington, Dulles on Monday 16th and promptly ran its left wing into a cargo shed by about 6ft. It also had a UAE flag painted on the side.
Many questions being asked and the return cargo appears to be weapons? It is firmly grounded as well as needing an aileron and a wingtip.
One of those Russian flag of convenience that our UAE friends seem to welcome so readily.
Anyone know any more about this operation?
Boss Raptor
19th Sep 2002, 21:07
3C = Equatorial Guinea
A well known flag of convenience...one has to comment that this flight must have taken place with the knowledge of US DOT!
At least 2 'unusual' operators based in UAE and reportedly running weapons are registered here...including Air Cess who's owner Viktor Butt has been indited in Russia for numerous 'gun running' crimes...
AEROVISION
20th Sep 2002, 09:33
Boss R,
And who might the other one be ?
Best regards
A.V.
BRISTOLRE
20th Sep 2002, 10:27
There are not that many 3C reg russian a/c, in particular those what are permitted to go into US airspace.
E.g. IL76 and An12. There was also an IL18 at one time.
I was aware of an IL86 freighter but I understood this was on russian register "RA" tailnumber.
That Guppy reported bobbing around the US recently was also on the 3C register was it not, could this have been the cause for confusion?
;)
OLNEY 1 BRAVO
20th Sep 2002, 13:48
A friend in Washington advises me that it is an IL-76 operated by GATS.
He tells me that the aircraft has been impounded as GATS are not willing to pay for repairs to the building.
Speedbird48
20th Sep 2002, 21:26
Ooop's, Sorry guys I meant to hit the 7!! The airplane is indeed an Il-76 and yes it is impounded for repairs as well as cash to pay for the cargo shed.
Flightmech
23rd Sep 2002, 15:32
I think i,ve seen his particular IL-76 in Sharjah many times. Is it still all white with red titles??
Nopax,thanx
24th Sep 2002, 12:04
the 3C prefix is also used by a couple of guys that I know for when they ferry aircraft that they have bought. Presumably saves a lot of cash, as there's no need for all the usual nause involved with paperwork as would be required by more stringent authorities. Remember all the Liberian registered ships and aircraft from a few years back?