Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 9M-MRD shot down by Surface to Air Missile

RIP MH17 EHAM-WMKK

17.07.2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Photos: Mark Lynam

Perth International Airport West Australia

all are copyright 2014

 

It is with sad news to report that Malaysia Airlines B777-2H6 (ER) 9M-MRD msn 28411 was shot down by a Buk missile system whilst overflying Ukraine at FL330 operating flight MH17 from Amsterdam's Schipol Airport (EHAM) to Kuala Lumpur Intl Airport (WMKK). The missiles fired are thought to be either SA-11s or SA-17s.
 
The aircraft reported to be carrying 298 persons on board, including 17 crew members,36 of which were Australian citizens & 8 residents onboard this ill-fated flight. Pro-russian terrorists are being blamed for this International terrorist incident, mistaking the aircraft as a military An-26 cargo aircraft allegedly to be carrying weapons .

Malaysia Airlines B777-2H6 (ER) 9M-MRD was a regular visitor to Perth, Western Australia operating the airline's MH125/124, MH126/127 services between Kuala Lumpur & Kuching to Perth up until 14th February 2012, when on this day the aircraft operated the airlines last B777 service into Perth before changing types to the Airbus A333.

Malaysia Airlines B777-2H6 (ER) 9M-MRD msn 28411 first flew on 17th July 1997, was delivered to Malaysia Airlines on 29th July 1997, and crashed over Ukraine exactly 17 years to the day of its first flight on Wednesday 17th July 2014.

9M-MRD flew a total of 75322 flying hours, flying 11434 cycles over her 17 years of service, before today's tragic incident. The B777-2H6 (ER) had all communication systems functioning normally before its destruction over the Ukraine.

May they all rest in peace , and thank you for such wonderful memories.