Miami International Airport
April 1980
In April 1980, several aviation friends and I visited some parts of the USA, on a month long aviation tour. We had bought a National Airlines pass and went from Amsterdam, via London-Heathrow, on National Airlines DC-10-30, N83NA, to Miami. After spending two weeks in the Miami area, we vistited San Juan, P.R., Saint-Thomas in the Virgen Islands, the Los Angeles area and Houston International airport.
Below, I focus on our visit to Miami International Airport, FL.
Below, I focus on our visit to Miami International Airport, FL.
Transportes Aéreos Mercantiles Panamericanos S.A. Boeing 707-373C has just arrived at Miami International. Despite a color scheme that hints at previous operation with British Caledonian, this was originally a World Airways bird.
In the morning of December 14, 1983, the TAMPA Boeing 707 freighter departed Medellin on a cargo flight to Miami (MIA). During departure the no. 4 engine suffered FOD damage. The flight returned to Medellin. It was decided to ferry the aircraft to Miami for repairs. That afternoon the airplane took off again with the no. 4 engine operating at idle power. During takeoff the no. 3 engine failed. The 707 banked steeply, struck powerlines and crashed into some factories.
In the morning of December 14, 1983, the TAMPA Boeing 707 freighter departed Medellin on a cargo flight to Miami (MIA). During departure the no. 4 engine suffered FOD damage. The flight returned to Medellin. It was decided to ferry the aircraft to Miami for repairs. That afternoon the airplane took off again with the no. 4 engine operating at idle power. During takeoff the no. 3 engine failed. The 707 banked steeply, struck powerlines and crashed into some factories.
HK-2401X is seen here getting some TLC at the International Air Leases (IAL) ramp, before her lease to Tampa Colombia commenced in mid April 1980.
Photoshop credit to: Carl Ford.
Photoshop credit to: Carl Ford.
Aerotal Colombia Boeing 707-321(F) N70798 at the International Air Leases (IAL) ramp in April 1980. Despite a color scheme that hints at previous operation with Kuwait Airways, this was originally a Pan American bird. International Air Leases converted her to freighter and leased the Turbo-Jet Aerotal Colombia in 1979.
On December 20, 1980, the Boeing was approaching Bogota's runway 12 when it entered a zone of heavy rain and dense fog. The aircraft descended into the ground, crash-landed and caught fire.
On December 20, 1980, the Boeing was approaching Bogota's runway 12 when it entered a zone of heavy rain and dense fog. The aircraft descended into the ground, crash-landed and caught fire.
Still bearing tell-tale signs of its former Alaskan-based life, this battered looking Boeing 720-062 retains traces of its Alaska Airlines livery a full four years after being purchased by Aviation Sales Group. N301AS was scrapped at Miami during Januari 1983.
Douglas DC-8-50 N53KM on a broiling, hot Miami Airport tarmac in April 1980.
Delivered new to Northwest Orient in August 1960 as a Douglas DC-8-32. A busy career involving Union de Transport Aeriens, Air Afrique, Air Ceylon (4R-ACQ) and a very brief spell with IAS Cargo, before ending with aircraft broker Frederick B. Ayer & Associates as N53KM in 1978. She was scrapped exactly four years after this picture was taken.
Amazing photo opportunities on the ramp of Miami International Airport during the early '80. Your author (then 18 years old) next to nose-wheel door of former Air Ceylon Douglas DC-8-50 4R-ACQ.
Douglas DC-8-21 XA-LSA of AEROLEON Cargo is seen on one of Miami Airport taxiways after landing on runway 9.
Pictured in April 1980, this Douglas DC-8 was built for United Airlines as N8027U and was delivered to the airline company on May 25, 1960. Nightheen years later she was acquired by aircraft broker United Air Leasing Corp. and on July 17, 1979 the DC-8 was leased to Southern Air Transport, who sub-leased her to AEROLEON Carga on the same day. In January 1981 the lease ended and finally owned by Aero Leasing Export Corp. the airframe was scrapped at Miami during January 1984 with 56.802 flying hours on the clock.
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