• GATB - Tombouctou Airport, Mail

    December 7, 2024 in Mali ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F

    BBQ Chicken Plate Sale!!!!
    Come to GATB - Tombouctou Aiport (Tombouctou, Timbuktu, Mali) as I had a major BIRD STRIKE during Visual Landing and was just about to call Final once ATC traffic channel was clear. Unfortunately, I had no way to notify ATC of emergency and I had no option but to "disobey" ATC and completed my landing and as I taxied the engine failed and I rolled of the active. Some folks helped me push "Koa" to a parking spot near a maintenance shop.
    I had the displeasure of meeting airport safety staff and I had to explain it all once I settled and after some apologies, some of my green tea packets and Snickers bars, and much more Crypto currency I was forgiven. On an upnote, I was blessed by the ground crew that stayed and helped me pluck meat, bone, viscera, and feathers from my engine. Someone in the crew even made some Jinjinbere, a super refreshing ginger, lemon, and sugar drink. It really helped during the clean up.
    Now it's time to call a Lyft or Uber to the Hendrina Khan Hotel, named after the original owner's wife. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, is known as the architect of Pakistan's nuclear program.
    Time for beer and rest after a nice Malian meal in the open-air restaurant. Hope chicken isn't the special today...or any time soon.
    While I as eating a "beef" steak dinner, yet another "offical" from the Mali Bird Safety (BS) Unit came to my table and tried to "FINE" me for hitting some rare birds. I called his BS, and said I had ATC clearance so therefore priority and it was the local birds that didn't contact ATC and didn't comply though they fly around the area all the time and they recklessly crossed my flight path.
    I also pointed out that I think he dropped some Snickers bars and US dollars on the floor near my table... He smiled and walked out, ordering a chicken dinner take-out.
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