Thread: Cessna 421 at FALA 3/11

From another Forum, words from the Operations Manager! (Brace yourself, this chap is p!ssed off!) Quote: flytodayworktonite wrote: TO ALL ESTEEMED CONTRIBUTORS TO ............ IT WAS WITH A MIXTURE OF SADNESS AND AMUSEMENT THAT I FOLLOWED ALL YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS REGARDING C404 REG ZS-ORP. I AM THE OPERATIONS MANAGER FOR THE COMPANY THAT OWNS THE AIRCRAFT. HAVING BEEN FLYING FOR 20 YEARS, AND THIS AIRCRAFT IN PARTICULAR SINCE 2002, MAYBE MY...

Varig It is a C404 registered to IYADIZA CENTURION (PTY) LTD

This aircraft has been on many other aprons too. And after a few beers the pilots talk freely what skins and stuff they carry. Why are they surprised that they are being checked? Isn't this the operator where the owner gave the pilot a mighty clap? (pilot walked apparently out on him after that) They seem to be involved in some mining contract and the aircraft spends most of the time outside SA.

Very different scenarios Carrier. There the SAA crews were personally smuggling, and anyone with contraband in their personal posessions will be busted if caught. If it is however goods in cargo it's a different story. The crew has paperwork declaring no dangerous goods included, etc - but the crew do not, and aren't expected to, physically check every item loaded onto the aircraft. Paperwork prepared by others is accepted at face...

I'm sorry to say this, but I do hope the authorities throw the book, at the manager & possibly the pilot. I'm sure the pilot could have walked away, & was not hand-cuffed to the aircraft. And, still thinking of getting away with, this. Shame on the crew, & the owners!

I paxed into Lanseria this evening just before 1800, saw what looked like a Cessna 421(main apron) with security tape on the doors and windows and people standing around, a scruffy looking rug thingy on the ground. I asked ground staff, was told that the scruffy looking rug was a hippo skin and the crew had been arrested, aeroplane impounded. Aeroplane has GIANT on the fin. Anyone with news? what of the crew? Surely any animal skin requires...

Was in newspapers today. Flight came in after midnight yesterday morning. Cargo - elephant tusks, buffalo head, skins etc. Pilot (23) and 1 pax arrested. Police say they are part of a sindicate.

That is a Cessna 404 (Titan) and not a C421 Golden Eagle

It is a Cessna 404, based at Brakpan or that vicinity, if the same pilot he was looking very hard for work some time back, and this was his big break, now ruined by himself or some skelm that convinced him to fly....pity