The Air France Plane’s Post-Entebbe Journey: A Flight Through Time and Registries

Introduction

The Air France plane that was once involved in the notorious Entebbe hostage situation has had an intriguing journey since the notorious aircraft, an Air France A300 F-BVGG, and the 19th aircraft of its model, has seen multiple transformations and travels. This article will explore the detailed journey of this particular A300, starting from its last known sightings and ending in its retirement and scrapping.

Initial Flight and Early Years (1977-1996)

The Air France A300 F-BVGG first saw service in January 1977 at Heathrow. Here, it served the airline faithfully for nearly two decades. As a testament to the A300’s reliability and longevity, the aircraft continued to fly with Air France until March 1996, when it was leased to Vietnam Airlines for a period of nine months. Despite the lease, the plane retained its French registration, F-BVGG, throughout this time.

American Adventures (1996-1998)

In September 1996, the A300’s journey took an unexpected turn as it found itself in the USA. It gained a new registration, N742SC, and was converted into a freighter. This new incarnation allowed the aircraft to serve a different purpose, carrying cargo instead of passengers. In 1998, the aircraft joined MNG Airlines, a Turkish carrier, as TC-MNA. The aircraft continued hauling freight for MNG from May 1998 until its retirement in December 2009.

Storage and Last Sightings (2009-2014)

After serving MNG Airlines for nearly a decade, the A300 was retired in December 2009. Its journey did not end there, however. For several years, the retired aircraft was stored at Istanbul, a fitting end to a long career that included multiple transformations. Unfortunately, the aircraft’s final days were marked by neglect and the inevitable passage of time. On June 2014, it was scrapped, bringing to an end the remarkable journey of this particular Air France A300.

Air France A300: Key Statistics

Model: Air France A300 F-BVGG
Initial Service: January 1977 (Heathrow)
Last Flight as an A300: March 1996 (Vietnam Airlines)
Registration Changes: F-BVGG (Air France), N742SC (USA), TC-MNA (MNG Airlines)
Service Life: 1977-2009
Final Disposition: Scrapped in 2014

Conclusion

The journey of Air France A300 F-BVGG from its first flight in 1977 to its final retirement in 2009 and subsequent scrapping in 2014 is a testament to the aircraft’s reliability and adaptability. This article aims to provide a comprehensive account of the plane’s transformation and travels. Despite its connection to the tragic events in Entebbe, the A300 F-BVGG had a rich and storied career with several different airlines. Its journey highlights the resilience and versatility of aircraft and the fascinating history of commercial aviation over the past four decades.