Last photo before shootdown
Bliss 5087 Plane Crash
Bliss 5087 was a connecting flight from Grindavik to Perth with a layover in Greater Rockford that was shot down by Ro Korean Air Force on the afternoon of September 10th, 1998, due to an invasion from Ro Korea. The aircraft was a MD-11 flown by Bliss International Airlines. It is hotly debated on this incident was the worst plane takedown in the Pilot Training Flight Archipelago.
Prior to the incident
Bliss 5087 departed from Grindavik Airport heading for Greater Rockford at 8:48 am UTC. The passengers and pilots were going to Greater Rockford after exploring the last of Grindavik.
On 8:53 am, Bliss 5087 touched down on RW 18L, stopping at Gate 1. At the same time, Ro Korea sent their air force to attack Perth.
Crash
On 11:49 am UTC, Bliss 5087 departed from Greater Rockford Airport, heading to Perth.
While midair, A Mig-29 Ro Korean air force was nearby. When they spotted the aircraft heading to Perth, the pilot noticed the plane. The commander ordered the pilot to shoot the aircraft down. The pilots on Bliss 5087 did not notice the Ro Korean plane.
Then, the plane fired at one of the Bliss 5087's engines with a GSh-301 30 mm cannon, resulting in the Bliss 5087 engine exploding.
Meanwhile, the passengers on board heard and felt a loud bang. Naturally, they were terrified as they saw the right engine on fire and a Mig-29 flying by. The pilots also heard and felt a loud bang. The GPWS were operating too.
The captain contacted Perth's ATC. However, as soon as Perth's ATC responded, the Ro Korean Air Force destroyed the ATC tower, along with the rest of the airport.
Terrified, the pilots tried their best to get the plane back up, but it was too late.
On 12:02 pm, Bliss 5087 was banking when it stalled. It then crashed on Lukla, killing all 335 people on board.
Beti Airlines Flight 403
Beti Airlines Flight 403 was a Twin Otter evacuation plane from Lukla, Perth to Mellor, Greater Rockford.
Beti Airlines Flight 403 was taxiing to the runway when the ATC heard an explosion, along with a Mig-29 supersonic speed.
ATC ordered the pilot to continue when the pilot noticed a MD-11.
ATC was confused what the pilot meant, but as he looked out his window, he saw a MD-11 with an engine burning, and he knew it was Bliss 5087.
ATC ordered the pilot to take off immediately. However, the pilot denied, saying that it will hit the runway and himself.
ATC then ordered the pilot to get out of the plane and run.
The pilot immediately opened the door and ran away, while the passengers tried to leave the plane.
Sadly, Bliss 5087 hit the DHC-6 Twin Otter, killing everybody on board. The pilot got incredibly injured and even became deaf due to the impact sound.
He was taken to the hospital, which was luckily not bombed.
Aftermath
1 hours after, the Ro Korean Air Force was being attacked by Neo-Japan's Air Force along with the reinforcements of Cyprus and Greater Rockford. Ro Korea then surrendered.
The dust and smoke settled, both planes were destroyed, and the pilot of Beti Airlines Flight 403 got treated.
340 people died in the crash.
Memorial
Alongside the Perth Attack Memorial is another memorial located at Lukla involving the Bliss Airlines shootdown and Beti Airlines Crash. This is the deadliest shootdown to date, and the deadliest plane crash in Lukla.
The black boxes were unrecoverable due to the impact.
Lukla ATC fortunately recorded the incident.
ATC Recording (Lukla)
Beti Airlines 403: Beti 403, request startup.
ATC: Beti 403, startup approved.
Beti Airlines 403: Thanks.
Sound of a Mig-29 and a loud explosion can be heard.
ATC: Beti 403, standby.
Beti 403: Standby, 403.
ATC: Bliss 5087, do you read me?
Silence
ATC: Bliss 5087, do you read me?
Silence again
ATC: Continue, Beti 403.
Sound of a Roaring MD-11 can be heard.
Beti Airlines 403: Hey, uhh what's that in the distance?
ATC: What do you mean what's in the-
ATC notices a MD-11 falling towards Lukla
ATC: Beti 403, perform immediate takeoff!
Beti Airlines 403: Oh god!
Beti Airlines 403: Unable, it's gonna hit the runway!
ATC: BETI 403, GET OUT!
Beti pilot opens the door and runs out, tries to warn the passengers to get out
ATC: OH GOD!
MD-11 crashes into Twin Otter, destroying the aircraft.
Recording Ends.