Aircraft crash site near Sebha
 

I have been trying to find out the history behind this, but am struggling slightly. The only information I can find describes a Boeing crash (in approximately the right area), but the aircraft remains carry large amounts of cyrillic writing (suggesting it was an Ilyushin or similar).

Does anyone know?

Thanks, Sam.

Does this help?

Aviation Safety Network > ASN Aviation Safety Database > Geographical regions > Libya air safety profile

Not really, I had already gone through this.

I can only assume that it is the Boeing, but with lots (and I mean lots) of cyrillic added afterwards for the presumably Soviet-trained crew?!

Sam.

You have any photos ? If so establishing the type should be reasonably easy, we can go from there. You can email me through the FJE website.

Hi Andrasz,

erm, there's not that much left of it!!!

Or, alternatively, there's a square kilometre full of debris, but almost nothing larger than a football, and most bits are the size of a cigarette pack or less! It would have made a hell of a bang when it went in. I think it must be the Boeing, but with lots of new markings painted on for the Russian trained crew.

Safe travels, Sam.

Hello Sam,

Based on my little aviation experience, I consider it rather unlikely for it to have been a Boeing. All Libyan Boeings were (are) operated based on the original (pre-eighties) manuals/procedures/training, no russian script would have been present on them. I have flown one of their 727-s out of Kufra only four years ago, was a guest in the cocpit, can confirm all western procedures. The chances are what you found is a russian built plane, plenty of those were/are around in Libya.

PS: most online aviation accident databases only include civilian flights, military accidents are mostly missing (most never reported). If this was a military aircraft, it would not be listed anywhere (like the several other wrecks littering the Libyan Sahara).

Hi Sam,

maybe you will find something there: Wüstenschiff :: Thema anzeigen - Flugzeugwracks in der Sahara

Greetings
Ferdi

Sam,

If you have any photos, send anyway, even small bits can be quite diagnostic. I have several acquaintances with experience in air accident investigation, if I cannot make any sense of the wreckage, they surely will.

All the best,
Andras