The B727 that was STOLEN and NEVER found! Cockpit Stories Ep. 13

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Shortly before sunset on May 25, 2003, air traffic control crews at the Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport in Angola noticed something quite peculiar. A Boeing 727-223, tail number N844AA, was taxiing erratically onto one of the runways. No attempts at contact with the tower were being made, and the aircraft departed southwest over the Atlantic Ocean with all lights off. The plane in question was unpainted silver, with red, white and blue stripes, and had recently been filled with 14,000 gallons of fuel, enough to travel up to 1,500 miles.
At the time of its disappearance, 844AA was being leased to a man named Keith Irwin. Irwin procured the aircraft in February of 2002 from a Florida-based aerospace company, owned by Maury Joseph, for use in delivering diesel fuel to diamond mines in Angola. But Irwin only used the plane for a brief time and quickly defaulted on his payments. Joseph eventually hired a certified aircraft mechanic, flight engineer and private pilot named Ben Charles Padilla to return the 727, now in disrepair, to a flight-safe condition so it could be repossessed. He scheduled an Air Gemini crew to fly it out on May 26, 2003, but when they arrived, they discovered the aircraft was already gone.
Padilla and John Mikel Mutantu, a mechanic from the Republic of the Congo, were last seen boarding the plane. Since the incident took place on the heels of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. intelligence community went on high alert, searching for the aircraft across multiple countries, without result. It would seem 844AA and its crew had disappeared.
Insurance Fraud
It’s no mystery that Joseph’s 727 had been a thorn in his side since leasing it to Irwin. The two men had arranged a $1 million purchase agreement, whereby Irwin, who gave Joseph a $125,000 deposit, would have the aircraft paid off in full within 30 days. Yet over a year went by, and not only did he fail to meet his part of the agreement, but also the 844AA sat idle and accrued over $4 million in unpaid airport fees. Investigators initially believed that Joseph hired Padilla as part of an insurance scheme to recoup his losses. As it turned out, Joseph wasn’t a stranger to fraud. The Securities and Exchange Commission had charged him just a few years prior with falsifying financial statements and defrauding investors. He was fined and banned from ever serving again as an officer in a publicly held company. But in this case, Joseph rang up the FBI and volunteered to take a lie detector test. He passed, leaving investigators scratching their heads.
Theft
Many believe that Padilla stole the aircraft for his own financial gain. While he technically only held a private pilot certificate, he was an expert in 727s and may have been trained to fly them. According to Joseph, Padilla’s 727 expertise was precisely why he hired him to repair and repossess others prior to 844AA. Friends of Padilla allege that he flew it to an airstrip along Tanzania’s western border, where he had it stripped and sold off for parts.
Hijack
The war on terror was in full swing at the time of 844AA’s disappearance; it had only been two short years since the 9/11 attacks in the United States. Perhaps Padilla and Mutantu were taken hostage when they boarded the aircraft to finish prepping it for the next day’s scheduled flight. If it was hijacked for nefarious purposes, it never made its target, and the U.S. government eventually closed its case.
No matter who took it or why, the question remains…
Where Did It Go?
It would seem as if 844AA literally disappeared off the radar. Some believe it was shot down by the Angolan Air Force over the Atlantic Ocean. Others contend it simply crashed somewhere shortly after takeoff. Either way, no debris has ever been recovered on land or sea. And, to date, no bodies have been recovered.
Conclusion
The timing of the aircraft’s disappearance, on the eve of it being repossessed, couldn’t have been coincidental. The most likely conclusion is that Padilla, a trained navigator, pilot, mechanic and flight engineer, either stole it for his own financial gain or did so at the instruction of Joseph. According to a Luandan pilot, 844AA was seen that night heading north and descending around Kinshasa, Congo. With no evidence of a crash ever found, it’s entirely possible Padilla successfully made his destination, sold the aircraft off for parts and vanished again into the night.

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Mere khayal se *Rasode* Me Hi Hoga😂😂😂😂 *Aircraft*

[@LivingAviation]

That's the way Tapesh sir does it!......Amazing video with loads of fact sir! Maybe now you can do the AirTransat A310 flight which glided in in the transatlantic ocean!

[@siddheshshinde2572]

He has proper introvert voice.

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Worst voice

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@@ABHIJITKZbin knowledge and talent are better than voice

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Rashbhari will Answer that ... MAU LEEE GAYA😂😂

[@kavinpatel8155]

I love your cockpit stories 😇

[@Saikrishna.B]

Finally , cockpit stories has returned.... I was awaiting for ep 13 from a long time...

[@neetusharma5399]

PHENOMENAL !! Always telling interesting stories very calm and cool wayz. Much appreciated 🙏

[@sanchitrana2741]

Sir Pls make a video on detailed tour of Boeing 777

[@sankalpmukim1052]

Love this series a lot! Especially Ep.12. Please make more of these more oftem than others if possible! Thanks.

[@itsnaveenn]

Ya Bro Even me

[@MRafay-nf2bc]

4:13 Boeing Boy : Ben Padeela Me : Behn Pateela

[@dilipramya6369]

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[@trinayanpaul2751]

Sir aap ka vdo dek ke aviation incidents and problems ke bare main Jan neh ko milta hai. This type of vdo no one makes except you "Tapis Kumar" keep it up one day you will be known as a beat aviation vdo making youtuber 🤘🤘✈️✈️

[@yashsharma7527]

Bhaiya Aapka boht Bada Bawla Bhagat Hu main LOVE FROM RAJASTHAN BHAIYA

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There's one "Khan GS Research center" channel on KZbin. If he comes to know of this, You will have a good 20 minutes video

[@dimplemeressa]

After a long wait, cockpit stories is on KZbin.. thank u sir... Cockpit stories &ur voice.. lovely ❤️

[@mohitdas2189]

Hey ! Student Pilot from India this side. Please make a cockpit stories video or just a myth busting video about the Bermuda Triangle. Your videos are really informative and interesting as always.

[@shubhaprakash1503]

We want more cockpit stories😊😄😃

[@abusoyebsazid-010]

i love this cockpit stories episode... Go a head Captain...we are with you

[@itsnaveenn]

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[@soarhigh5482]

Sir love all of your vids Sir since you used to fly 737 and now fly a320 so maybe your channel should be like airbus 737boy 😁

[@adhyan992]

First of all, Captain you have been made by God to be a pilot. May you do well. Secondly, you are my inspiration to be a pilot and why I feel like flying a plane. Thirdly, amazing video, lots of love from me and I just keep seeing your videos. Thirdly, I think the plane would have maybe blasted in mid air because of the major fuel quantity on board. Lastly, I will be soooooooo pleased and happy to get a heart from my inspiration, you Captain Tapesh Kumar.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@nimishlawate8553]

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[@juthikamazumdar3258]

These are the best kind of videos by tapesh...

[@allinOne-tm2es]

Tapesh sir make the video for Boeing 777x Vs Airbus a350

[@shezanshezan4763]

You are video inspires me

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Hope next cockpit story will be coming soon ....💞💞💞

[@soumyajitroy9921]

Your cockpit stories are awesome

[@DTechDesign]

Just watched the same video on same topic on Infographic Show channel...and KZbin recommended me this just next to it. Hindi Version with Indian style....Nice video

[@shezanshezan4763]

You are the best sir

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I am in love with the cockpit stories.......

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Please make a detailed video on how to do CPL abroad (mostly USA)

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i was waiting for your videos ..thank uu sir

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Tapesh sir make video for Boeing 777 X vs Airbus A350 please ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@allinOne-tm2es]

Please

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MOOOREEEEEEE COCKPIT STORIES PLEASEEE!!

[@adarshmishra6407]

Who all want the cockpit convesation part-2!! that was a fun watching is"line marle beta jab ghar mein dande padenge ge na"

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Great job👍👍👍

[@ankushsarkar7946]

Sir I am one of the biggest fan of yours...Once I saw you in Delhi airport but as there was my flight I could not meet you... I want take a selfie with you...Lots and lots and lots of love,respect and faith to you from Bangalore

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Tapshi is best narrator

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Tapish bhaiya I love you

[@aryan_yadav4224]

Plss tell me when will cadet pilot program will begin again.... Plzzz

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Mujhay aapki hindi ki videos bohot pasand hai.

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Nice video

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Best Indian Aviation channel!

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I am desperately waiting for your new vlog.

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Yes

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Let's see who will get beaten in next video

[@adarshpatil02]

Sir this video was fantasti and we weighting for another video of you

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Good video and seen just after 17 sec

[@atharv_savarkar]

Pl make a video on electric aricraft for pilot training !!!

[@LivingAviation]

arre bhai spam mat kar or tapesh sir will not reply! its not a good gesture

[@kvamshi04]

Thank you for sharing this, one theory says. It was stolen in order to claim insurance!!

[@PpCrp1106]

Sir when are we gonna getting cockpit conversation episode??????

[@MRafay-nf2bc]

0:37 Boeing Boy : Vinod Yadav Everyone : Binod Yadav

[@siddeshnarayan5038]

The aircraft would have never took off , they would have scrapped the aircraft and sold the parts 😂😂😂

[@kaushikchowdhury2716]

sir pls make a video difference between airbus & boeing planes 🙏

[@apurvxvarma]

I think the airliner must have landed in a secret air base and it is now waiting for orders.

[@meerajadhav4870]

big fan of boeing boy

[@nirajrao8008]

Very nice video 👌👌👌 plane could have possibly crashed

[@AtulKumar-ej4yg]

Great job

[@namanjain7750]

Make a video on Malaysia airlines one!

[@anuragchaubey3713]

I was literally wondering..how did those people stole that aircraft and vanished..as i was also searching for this news since a month 😁

[@atharv_savarkar]

Make a video on airline selection process

[@drsourav111]

Nice kahaniyas... waiting for bed time stories for my kid on ur nxt video...

[@sarhan3409]

Bro u make so interesting videos.... Love ur videos❤️

[@ZubairAli-ew6hj]

Hie tapesh ji, what's your opinion about gaurav taneja's concern's about saftey measures crices in airasia, what you feel flying with airasia pilots???

[@rohitmadugula6738]

Lighting is on point. It would be perfect if you use a softbox

[@skydriver1990]

Awesome

[@rohithkumar3473]

Sir do a video on airline selection process and also about instrument rating.

[@narayanagrawal6108]

You should make a video on that story of the time travelled airplane that dropped a clalander

[@ar.nnnav14]

1st u make very nice and good videos the 727 might have landed in antartica

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How much money do you need to spend to become a pilot...pls do rply bruhhh!!! As we are also supporting you keep the good work up u do plss reply bruhh💫💜💫💛

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100 money

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Sir Vlogg vlog 🙌

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Love your videos tapshi....❤❤❤

[@dheemayee.bhadra]

Happy teacher's day sir, you had been my best aviation teacher. You and your teachers deserve a salute.👍👍

[@rameshmishra387]

So lateee😕😕😕 Great video❤❤

[@anassubzwari6883]

Barmunda triangle me chale gyenge honge !

[@cycloop_9201]

There's a abandoned plane in dubai(ras la khaima) you could tell tht plane's story....!?

[@kavinpatel8155]

Keep making cockpit stories 💯

[@krishnatimalsena6062]

Bro i love to watch your video and my am to be pilot

[@tompchacko9686]

I was really waiting for an aviation related video !!!

[@jankipatel3993]

Sir please say in hindi

[@HimanshuYadav-oh3lm]

Bhai, make a video on ‘‘ Bermuda triangle'' and stories about it are true or not........

[@sowmyareddy4739]

make a video on missing aircrafts near bermuda triangle i.e near atlanta...

[@kartikeyashah3071]

Why your course doesn't consist of technical and radio telephony subjects? Please reply.

[@Ravi_Gahadval]

Watching all your videos .

[@maahithakkar2354]

Your cockpit stories are just amazing.. Keep on making more!

[@skzahidquadri8048]

Sir u r my fav ❤️❤️👍👍

[@tekumallaharshit5276]

A video on degree after pilot please

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tell about cadet pgm on air asia

[@KiranAgrawal]

Sir what do you think about upcoming FlyBig and Yuva Airlines...?

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Aircraft HEIST🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

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dhairya mehta LOL 😂

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Lmao

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Gta in real life lol

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Bhai fitbois par video kab aayegi?

[@Shin-zou-Sasageyo800]

We need more videos on Cockpit Conversation please

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luv ur hair change! :)

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Yes it is amazing. So can you please advise me how can i get PPL license.

[@teratodek4610]

Tapshi sir u are lucky

[@mohammadmaazakhtar8986]

Sir I want you to make a video on MH370 , what happened to the pilot, theories, investigation every thing which is possible in the video. Its a request.

[@akashpandey8117]

Amazing video 😍

[@javid6042]

I have a question to you sir "What is in the tail of a plane which make it width on the back. "

[@mr.barbatos325]

Its apu ( Auxiliary power unit )

[@meme_engineering4521]

Auxiliary power unit, it is used to power the aircraft when engine is not on , and used to power the engines

[@akshayraj1856]

I think the aircraft must have taken off and then climbed to a level such that no one could find it... and once the fuel is over the plane must have crashed into the ocean... so that's why no one could find it...

[@akshayraj1856]

Sir, Please Reply

[@arindommukherjee1354]

Sir make video on jobs of pilots in international airlines