BruceK
Moderator Emeritus
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On the information so far. Malaysian Airlines B777 Flight 17 was shot down by a sophisticated guided ground to air missile, probably of Russian manufacture, capable of reaching over 33000 feet. It occurred over war torn eastern Ukraine, fired by pro Russian rebel forces, which it seems thought they were shooting down a Ukraine military transport plane. Intercepted phone calls, if genuine, suggest rebel joy, followed by some disquiet after seeing what was on the ground, smoking, fragmented, was a commercial airliner.
280 passengers and 15 crew died on this flight between Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur. 27 Australians including a nun from Sydney,and the nationals of many other other countries, died. Around 100 on board were to have continued on from KL to Melbourne Australia, for a medical conference. There was one Canadian on board, so far I`m unaware of any Americans but it would be surprising if there were not.
It is suggested that although the airspace was open, it might have been better to fly another route. Some airlines had changed routes,some had not. Be that as it may, the crash was due to the firing of a missile.
Many of us fly internationally, I have one, maybe 2, legs on MH, later this year,(if they don`t run out of B777s). We should reflect on the misfortune of these innocent passengers. It is early days, and even gaining access to the crash site in rebel held territory will be problematic. There is considerable potential for international conflict in this incident.
If anyone wants to discuss the incident or contribute, please do. I would like to keep it out of OTDE.
280 passengers and 15 crew died on this flight between Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur. 27 Australians including a nun from Sydney,and the nationals of many other other countries, died. Around 100 on board were to have continued on from KL to Melbourne Australia, for a medical conference. There was one Canadian on board, so far I`m unaware of any Americans but it would be surprising if there were not.
It is suggested that although the airspace was open, it might have been better to fly another route. Some airlines had changed routes,some had not. Be that as it may, the crash was due to the firing of a missile.
Many of us fly internationally, I have one, maybe 2, legs on MH, later this year,(if they don`t run out of B777s). We should reflect on the misfortune of these innocent passengers. It is early days, and even gaining access to the crash site in rebel held territory will be problematic. There is considerable potential for international conflict in this incident.
If anyone wants to discuss the incident or contribute, please do. I would like to keep it out of OTDE.