Dangerous 747 Operation
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: USA
Dangerous 747 Operation
I'm requesting guidance.
I am aware of a person (Imad Saba) that is operating a B747 on a contract from Tripoli to Jeddah moving Muslim Umrah pilgrims that is extremely unsafe! The aircraft is currently registered in Swaziland as 3D-BOX. It had previous registrations as YA-EAH and N158UA. This aircraft is not current on any checks (A,B,C+D). All aircraft records have been falsified. The flightdeck crews are not current. I'm not sure, but I doubt that he has any insurance. Any replacement parts that have been replaced on this aircraft come from very questionable sources. There are not enough O2 masks for each passenger. It goes on and on. I don't see how someone like this is allowed to operate! If anything happens to this aircraft would give us all a bad name. He should be put in a Libyian Jail! The lives of approx. 500 pilgrims are being put at risk each time this aircraft takes flight.
I have contacted the Lybian Civil Aviation Authority-no response!
I have contacted the Saudi Arabia Civil Aviation Authority-no response!
I have contacted the Swailand Civil Aviation Authority-no response!
I am not sure where next to go! I believe I have done what I need to do to clear my conscious. Any help would be appriciated.
The Plumber
I am aware of a person (Imad Saba) that is operating a B747 on a contract from Tripoli to Jeddah moving Muslim Umrah pilgrims that is extremely unsafe! The aircraft is currently registered in Swaziland as 3D-BOX. It had previous registrations as YA-EAH and N158UA. This aircraft is not current on any checks (A,B,C+D). All aircraft records have been falsified. The flightdeck crews are not current. I'm not sure, but I doubt that he has any insurance. Any replacement parts that have been replaced on this aircraft come from very questionable sources. There are not enough O2 masks for each passenger. It goes on and on. I don't see how someone like this is allowed to operate! If anything happens to this aircraft would give us all a bad name. He should be put in a Libyian Jail! The lives of approx. 500 pilgrims are being put at risk each time this aircraft takes flight.
I have contacted the Lybian Civil Aviation Authority-no response!
I have contacted the Saudi Arabia Civil Aviation Authority-no response!
I have contacted the Swailand Civil Aviation Authority-no response!
I am not sure where next to go! I believe I have done what I need to do to clear my conscious. Any help would be appriciated.
The Plumber
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 408
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From: Queensland
I assume the accuracy of this post in responding. The aviation business, like the medical profession and some others, is full of those who will accept the status quo. Nobody likes a "whistle blower" Its so difficult to get those in authority to listen. If they officially acknowledge your complaint and an accident results because of innaction, their positions is are risk. Simple. Even happens to a lesser degree in substantial flag carrier airlines.
Eight Gun Fighter
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Western Approaches
This aircraft is not current on any checks (A,B,C+D). All aircraft records have been falsified. The flightdeck crews are not current. I'm not sure, but I doubt that he has any insurance. Any replacement parts that have been replaced on this aircraft come from very questionable sources. There are not enough O2 masks for each passenger. It goes on and on.
(Assumption) (- All true.) Get on to the media if the other actions haven't worked. Try the BBC. Yell loud and hard.
Joined: Sep 2000
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B747 Plumber
I suggest you contact Bureau Veritas. This private company is often contracted to oversee small countries' aviation regulation, often also mandated by ICAO. If they are not responsible to oversee Swaziland's aviation matters, they could steer you in the right direction.
good luck
I suggest you contact Bureau Veritas. This private company is often contracted to oversee small countries' aviation regulation, often also mandated by ICAO. If they are not responsible to oversee Swaziland's aviation matters, they could steer you in the right direction.
good luck
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: N55' 56' and a wee bit west
i have to ask where this aircraft is currently registered? because surely it cant be in an ICAO country and should not be allowed to pass through airspace belonging to any country that has signed up to it (as most of the world has!)
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,178
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From: UK
Assuming the above is all true, it is a sad fact that the best way forward might be to contact a reputable newspaper or TV source.
Like it or not, they have access to research outlets that we do not, and they often succeed where official routes fail.
Again, assuming what you say to be accurate, keep this thing on the ground!
Like it or not, they have access to research outlets that we do not, and they often succeed where official routes fail.
Again, assuming what you say to be accurate, keep this thing on the ground!
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 265
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From: Mostly Western hemisphere
I'm not sure Bureau Veritas would be of any help. They've been involved in a few "scandals" themselves and have quite "bizarre" practices. Do you remember those super-tankers and ferry boats that sank recently in Europe ? Bureau Veritas was asked to certify some of those boats. They refused (clever move since the boats were good for the trash), but told the customer to go to another company that would certify them without any further questionning. That "company" was actually a subsidiary of Bureau Veritas, so the money came into their (deep) pockets anyway, the boats sank, people died, etc. but Bureau Veritas' reputation was never in danger.
Back to the topic... Who chartered the planes ? Maybe there's a card to play over there ?
Back to the topic... Who chartered the planes ? Maybe there's a card to play over there ?
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 42
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From: OZ
Seems this 747 is pretty old. Most of it's contemporaries have already been scrapped.
This 747 238B was originally owned by Qantas in Australia.
VHEBJ delivered to Qantas 30 May 1975
N158UA to United Airlines 1 June 1991
Seems to have been sitting at Marama, Arizona for some time.......at least between 7 October 2001 and 16 January 2003
Was registered with Afghanistan YA-EAH sometime between 16 January 2003 and 2 November 2003.
So, when did it get the Swaziland registration 3D-BOX......and one has to ask........why register it in maybe only the last few weeks and then fly it from Tripoli? Someone wants to make a fast buck perhaps......and kill people in the process.
Surely this 747 is past its use by date and shouldn't be flying anyone anywhere.
This 747 238B was originally owned by Qantas in Australia.
VHEBJ delivered to Qantas 30 May 1975
N158UA to United Airlines 1 June 1991
Seems to have been sitting at Marama, Arizona for some time.......at least between 7 October 2001 and 16 January 2003
Was registered with Afghanistan YA-EAH sometime between 16 January 2003 and 2 November 2003.
So, when did it get the Swaziland registration 3D-BOX......and one has to ask........why register it in maybe only the last few weeks and then fly it from Tripoli? Someone wants to make a fast buck perhaps......and kill people in the process.
Surely this 747 is past its use by date and shouldn't be flying anyone anywhere.
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: London Whipsnade Wildlife Park
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 655
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From: Europe
This sort of thing has been going on for ages, and I'm sure it's not going to stop in the forseeable future. Transjet got away with doing the same sort of thing a couple of years ago out of numerous bases. Right now, the Swiss FOCA (Federal Office for Civil Aviation) turn a blind eye to the unsafe operation at Farnair Switzerland, as long as they don't compete with Swiss. 
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: London,Bucharest...wherever...
Contact the FAA International Field Office used to be JFK details on the FAA website, I believe they provide safety oversight for Saudi DCA, they'll jump it so quick you wouldn't believe...under the circumstances I would think.
If they dont have the safety oversight connection any longer they'll no doubt inform Saudi DCA of your concerns through the proper and direct channels.
http://aea.faa.gov/aea200/ea29/
PS. they still do the Saudi oversight it seems
http://aea.faa.gov/aea200/ea29/docs/duties.doc
If they dont have the safety oversight connection any longer they'll no doubt inform Saudi DCA of your concerns through the proper and direct channels.
http://aea.faa.gov/aea200/ea29/
PS. they still do the Saudi oversight it seems
http://aea.faa.gov/aea200/ea29/docs/duties.doc
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 259
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From: delta.bc.canada
One wonders if Boeing themselves are aware of the 'details'..
They will be the first on the site to check it's airworthiness.
I believe they have a very good 'customer service'address in their Web.
Cheers
They will be the first on the site to check it's airworthiness.
I believe they have a very good 'customer service'address in their Web.
Cheers
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,627
Likes: 2
From: UTC +8
M&V: "One wonders if Boeing themselves are aware of the 'details'..
They will be the first on the site to check its airworthiness..."
I doubt that a private manufacturing company would have legal access to this equipment and its records without the owner's permission!
Boss Raptor: "Contact the FAA International Field Office at JFK; details on the FAA website. I believe they provide safety oversight for Saudi DCA. They'll jump it so quick you wouldn't believe..."
The FAA has no jurisdiction over foreign owned and foreign registered airplanes in foreign, sovereign lands. The agency can only "jump on it" if and when the airplane is operated into USA airspace!
They will be the first on the site to check its airworthiness..."
I doubt that a private manufacturing company would have legal access to this equipment and its records without the owner's permission!
Boss Raptor: "Contact the FAA International Field Office at JFK; details on the FAA website. I believe they provide safety oversight for Saudi DCA. They'll jump it so quick you wouldn't believe..."
The FAA has no jurisdiction over foreign owned and foreign registered airplanes in foreign, sovereign lands. The agency can only "jump on it" if and when the airplane is operated into USA airspace!
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,016
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From: London,Bucharest...wherever...
Glueball as I stated FAA carries out safety oversight on contract to Saudi DCA, this function is co-ordinated from FAA Intl. Field Office JFK, confirmed and detailed in the links posted above.
As such Saudi DCA (FAA) will jump the aircraft in JED which they are entitled to do and FAA IFO JFK are a good course of communication for someone in the USA
My suggested course of action is correct and viable.
As such Saudi DCA (FAA) will jump the aircraft in JED which they are entitled to do and FAA IFO JFK are a good course of communication for someone in the USA
My suggested course of action is correct and viable.
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 55
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From: Bangkok
Kabo Air ,, similiar operation to Saba
Kabo Crashed a 747 in Nigeria 2 years ago and it never hit the press
I remember last year when a guy out of Texas, (initials BK) was looking for 747 crews. !!!! pay and to fly 2 ex United 747's that had been sitting in the desert for several years. The job was to fly the Afghanistan Hadj. I heard from reliable sources (the crew) that they did as little maint to the aircraft as possible. Now it looks like they are back at it again this year.
While Kabo Air has put substantial funds into their aircraft to keep them going, they fall short by hiring Indonesian crews who give them selves check rides in the pub. They crashed a 747 in Maidugari, Nigeria 2 years ago and kept it quiet. Had their insurance company found out, that is if they had insurance, then surely they would have been grounded for some time or you would think, and that the Saudi's would ban them from entering Saudi Airspace.
It's all a matter of bribing the right Saudi's.
I have flown 5 hadj operations on the 747 and never once have the Saudi's done a ramp check on the aircraft, and I don't expect to see one this year as well.
These people think it's all up to ALLAH.
If the plane crashes, then it's God's will that it happened, not that their crew flew the aircraft into the trees off the side of the runway. As was the case in Nigeria.
I remember last year when a guy out of Texas, (initials BK) was looking for 747 crews. !!!! pay and to fly 2 ex United 747's that had been sitting in the desert for several years. The job was to fly the Afghanistan Hadj. I heard from reliable sources (the crew) that they did as little maint to the aircraft as possible. Now it looks like they are back at it again this year.
While Kabo Air has put substantial funds into their aircraft to keep them going, they fall short by hiring Indonesian crews who give them selves check rides in the pub. They crashed a 747 in Maidugari, Nigeria 2 years ago and kept it quiet. Had their insurance company found out, that is if they had insurance, then surely they would have been grounded for some time or you would think, and that the Saudi's would ban them from entering Saudi Airspace.
It's all a matter of bribing the right Saudi's.
I have flown 5 hadj operations on the 747 and never once have the Saudi's done a ramp check on the aircraft, and I don't expect to see one this year as well.
These people think it's all up to ALLAH.
If the plane crashes, then it's God's will that it happened, not that their crew flew the aircraft into the trees off the side of the runway. As was the case in Nigeria.
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: UK
Send the story to Al Jazeerah (www.aljazeerah.net) as the best arab language news agency. They'll get the arab governments moving.
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: London,Bucharest...wherever...
Back in the early 90's the Okada Air B747...(correction from 727 typo) ... 5N-EDO was flying Haj reconfigured from its' original 360 seats to 420 something seats and again as described with this aircraft no extra PSU's added...we decompress you might die, have a nice flight insalah! 
Last edited by Boss Raptor; 10th November 2003 at 21:58.
Aluminum Tubing Inspector
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Costa Geriatrica
It appears this chap is the same one that was involved in the last Hajj and took the money and ran! Leasing companies in the US are aware of him and word is getting around.