Why was an Air France A330-200 shot at twice after landing in Congo-Brazzaville? The working theories are interesting…to put it mildly.
On April 11th, an Air France A330, registration number F-GZCK, landed at Point-Noire in the Republic of the Congo at 5:33PM. The flight was on a rescue mission to repatriate about 200 French citizens and was scheduled for a quick turn and continuation to Bangui, Central African Republic.
But at around 8:00PM the A330 was “attacked” by a gendarme (armed police officers), who fired two shots at the aircraft. One shot missed but the other ripped through the fuselage.
No injuries were reported, but the damage forced a flight cancellation, stranding passengers and crew for at least one more night. Air France dispatched a 777-200 (F-GSPG) to rescue the rescue mission, which landed safely yesterday evening in Point-Noire and included technicians onboard to diagnose and fix the A330.
Three Working Theories
What prompted the gunshots? While details are still emerging at this point, there are three working theories.
- The gunman took three airport authority (Aerco) agents hostage over a dispute over pay and promotion.
- The gunman was intoxicated and shot the plane by accident.
- The gunman was trying to stop the spread of COVID-19, which is far more prevalent in France than in Congo.
I suppose all three could be true…or none could be true. Local press has not been clear and the New York Times or Associated Press have not reported on motive.
Whatever reason…shooting at an airplane? Seriously?
Check out the bullet hole and shell casing in the video below:
CONCLUSION
Thankfully, this seems like an accident or the work of one crazy man, not a wider conspiracy. But the incident is a reminder that while our focus has been on COVID-19 lately, death can come in many forms…
image: Aero Icarus / Wikimedia Commons
“But at around 8:00PM the A330 was “attacked” by a gendarme (armed police officers), who fried two shots at the aircraft.”
What type of fryer did he use?
2. Argument between two drunk security guards.
Maybe the gendarme was angry with AF because they downgraded him from first to business class.