A321 explosion at Mogadishu
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Ultimately, there is no way of screening the myriad of airside workers, reliably. They know all the nooks and crannies of the system.
In the end flying is quite safe, and there are few such incidents. Let's hope it stays this way. Maybe the industry could invest some more money in refreshing pilots manual flying skills, rather than pursuing refinements of security theater.
Edmund
In the end flying is quite safe, and there are few such incidents. Let's hope it stays this way. Maybe the industry could invest some more money in refreshing pilots manual flying skills, rather than pursuing refinements of security theater.
Edmund
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I think the thing that is interesting, is that the laptops were passed in the VIP area, this area is tightly controlled by the government and is only for use by those on government business. You just can't pay $100 and use it ;-)
The other thing not reported is that it was military grade explosives that were used. This throws open a whole new scenario, now it could be said that Al Shabab or ISIS have access to such stuff, due to their recent successes at attacking AMISOM bases, however, they haven't claimed responsibility and my personal feeling is that they wouldn't attack the airport for reasons I wont go into.
The next day two people were arrested for trying to sneak onto another flight, again this attack hasn't been claimed either. again it was mil grade explosives used.
Airside security at MGQ leaves a lot to be desired, flightline badges are controlled by SCAMA and they have tried to cut down on who has one, but in my opinion, and as anyone who has been to MGQ knows, if you have money, it talks.
The other thing not reported is that it was military grade explosives that were used. This throws open a whole new scenario, now it could be said that Al Shabab or ISIS have access to such stuff, due to their recent successes at attacking AMISOM bases, however, they haven't claimed responsibility and my personal feeling is that they wouldn't attack the airport for reasons I wont go into.
The next day two people were arrested for trying to sneak onto another flight, again this attack hasn't been claimed either. again it was mil grade explosives used.
Airside security at MGQ leaves a lot to be desired, flightline badges are controlled by SCAMA and they have tried to cut down on who has one, but in my opinion, and as anyone who has been to MGQ knows, if you have money, it talks.
Steady on! Mog and Somalia in general is awash with military explosives. I don't think this indicates Al Shabab any more than it does any other disgruntled Somali tom, dick or harry with a grudge, blood-feud or desire to create mayhem, all of which are the national pastime.
Perhaps we shouldn’t get too excited about this bombing. In Jan 1985 there was a near identical event, and then from Oct 1985 to Oct 1986 there were another four quite similar.
Edited content from aerospaceweb.org:
23 January 1985 - Lloyd Ačreo Boliviano
Boeing 727 left La Paz, Mexico, for Santa Cruz, Bolivia. While en route with 127 occupants a passenger entered the forward lavatory carrying a suitcase. Inside the suitcase was dynamite that exploded, killing the passenger. Plane landed safely with no additional fatalities.
30 October 1985 - American Airlines
A bomb hidden in a tote bag exploded aboard a Boeing 727. The blast occurred in the forward baggage hold while being unloaded and there were no fatalities.
2 April 1986 - Trans World Airlines Flight 840
A Boeing 727 preparing to land at Athens, Greece, was badly damaged by a bomb explosion. The device consisted of 1 lb of plastic explosive placed under a seat cushion. The detonation blew a 24 ft˛ (2.25 m˛) hole in the fuselage resulting in a rapid decompression that sucked four people from cabin.
3 May 1986 - Air Lanka Flight 512
A Lockheed L-1011 carrying 148 was parked at Colombo terminal, preparing to continue on to the Maldives when an explosive concealed in an onboard cargo crate exploded. The blast ripped the plane in half killing 21 and injuring 41 people. The bomb was most likely planted by Tamil rebels to sabotage peace talks with the Sri Lankan government.
26 October 1986 - Thai Airways International Flight 620
Airbus A300 from Manila to Osaka with 239 occupants; while cruising at 33,000 ft over Tosa Bay off the coast of Japan, an explosion occurred in the aft lavatory. The blast caused a rapid decompression and damaged two of the plane's hydraulic systems. The captain and co-pilot initiated an emergency descent and managed to land heavily damaged aircraft safely at Osaka with no fatalities. The cause of the blast was a hand grenade a passenger was attempting to smuggle into Japan that exploded in the lavatory.
Most of the planes were repaired.
Edited content from aerospaceweb.org:
23 January 1985 - Lloyd Ačreo Boliviano
Boeing 727 left La Paz, Mexico, for Santa Cruz, Bolivia. While en route with 127 occupants a passenger entered the forward lavatory carrying a suitcase. Inside the suitcase was dynamite that exploded, killing the passenger. Plane landed safely with no additional fatalities.
30 October 1985 - American Airlines
A bomb hidden in a tote bag exploded aboard a Boeing 727. The blast occurred in the forward baggage hold while being unloaded and there were no fatalities.
2 April 1986 - Trans World Airlines Flight 840
A Boeing 727 preparing to land at Athens, Greece, was badly damaged by a bomb explosion. The device consisted of 1 lb of plastic explosive placed under a seat cushion. The detonation blew a 24 ft˛ (2.25 m˛) hole in the fuselage resulting in a rapid decompression that sucked four people from cabin.
3 May 1986 - Air Lanka Flight 512
A Lockheed L-1011 carrying 148 was parked at Colombo terminal, preparing to continue on to the Maldives when an explosive concealed in an onboard cargo crate exploded. The blast ripped the plane in half killing 21 and injuring 41 people. The bomb was most likely planted by Tamil rebels to sabotage peace talks with the Sri Lankan government.
26 October 1986 - Thai Airways International Flight 620
Airbus A300 from Manila to Osaka with 239 occupants; while cruising at 33,000 ft over Tosa Bay off the coast of Japan, an explosion occurred in the aft lavatory. The blast caused a rapid decompression and damaged two of the plane's hydraulic systems. The captain and co-pilot initiated an emergency descent and managed to land heavily damaged aircraft safely at Osaka with no fatalities. The cause of the blast was a hand grenade a passenger was attempting to smuggle into Japan that exploded in the lavatory.
Most of the planes were repaired.
OK; points to ponder
• 30 years ago airliner bombings were commonplace - several each year
• Pressurised cabins are far more robust than commonly thought - they don’t pop like balloons
• Bombings now attract more attention because they are relatively rare - especially given the three-fold increase in air travel over past 30 years
• Appreciate the efficacy and necessity of airport security
• 30 years ago airliner bombings were commonplace - several each year
• Pressurised cabins are far more robust than commonly thought - they don’t pop like balloons
• Bombings now attract more attention because they are relatively rare - especially given the three-fold increase in air travel over past 30 years
• Appreciate the efficacy and necessity of airport security
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No emergency call from Daallo A321 pilot
From Flight International, 16 February 2016, page 6:
Pilots of the Daallo Airlines Airbus A321 that suffered an in-flight explosion after departing Mogadishu initially cited a pressurisation issue, but did not declare an emergency. French investigation authority BEA has disclosed initial details of the 2 February incident, citing preliminary information from its Somali counterparts. Investigators believe the aircraft was climbing through a height of around 12,000ft at the time. One occupant of the aircraft is suspected to have been ejected through the rupture in the fuselage caused by the explosion. The Somali transport minister has reportedly attributed the damage to a bomb.
Originally Posted by tdracer
Agreed, it's quite possible the 'bomber' thought he was a courier - 'deliver this laptop to Mr. X, it's very important' and had no idea he was on a one-way trip.
Passengers put carry-on bags on the floor all the time. I was directed to do this by cabin crew a couple of weeks ago. the near-floor location in no way establishes guilt. Until we know for certain that the deceased was the bomber, his family at least deserves the courtesy of not tarring him with this accusation.
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I saw a mention of this earlier in the thread, but no elaboration or discussion, so here goes.
News from CNN:
https://youtu.be/0juAjl1tyVk?t=114
(If the link time does not work, it is around 1:50)
Apparently the two airport workers who handed over a suspicious laptop-looking item to the man found burnt outside Mogadishu were subject to a car bomb three days after the airplane incident. One of the men was killed, but the other one is in custody now.
News from CNN:
https://youtu.be/0juAjl1tyVk?t=114
(If the link time does not work, it is around 1:50)
Apparently the two airport workers who handed over a suspicious laptop-looking item to the man found burnt outside Mogadishu were subject to a car bomb three days after the airplane incident. One of the men was killed, but the other one is in custody now.
Did the passenger in the seat behind place it on the floor and toe it forwards? Then head off to the can? All kinds of scenarios seem possible.
Life sentences for the two "masterminds", one of whom is still on the run....
Daallo Airlines blast: Somalia sentences two to life in prison - BBC News
An employee at the main airport in Mogadishu, Abdiwali Mahmud Maow, was given the life sentence, along with Arais Hashi Abdi, who was tried in absentia as he had evaded arrest.
The two were convicted of being members of al-Shabab.
The other eight were convicted of helping to plan the attack, but not of membership of the al-Qaeda-linked militant group.
The two were convicted of being members of al-Shabab.
The other eight were convicted of helping to plan the attack, but not of membership of the al-Qaeda-linked militant group.
