The former KLM DC-8-55CF Combi Freighter or Jet Trader was polished bare metal before delivery to Rich International.

Leased from KLM. In July 1983 the aircraft was sold to United Air leasing as N29954 and leased out to Trans Arabian Air Transport, African Air Charter, and Trans African before being sold to Arax Air Lines as 5N-ARH. On 31st March 1988 it suffered an engine fire whilst taking off from Cairo and was destroyed when it crashed at the end of the runway; tragically the 4 crew were killed.

Crashed at Cairo on 1.4.88 on departure for Sharjah when an engine caught fire on the 2nd take-off attempt, crashing at the runway end. 53,176 hours logged.

K25 slide scan. Delivered 1966 as PH-DCU to KLM. Rich International 1981.Trans Arabian Air Transport N29954 1983. Arax Airlines 5N-ARH 1986. Crashed on take off Cairo 31 March 1988 after engine fire.

Delivered new 26th Feb 1966 and leased to Rich International Sep 1981 and re-registered N29954 16th Sep 1983

Originally PH-DCU of KLM.

Operated by Rich from Sep 81 until Jul 83. Photographed through glass from hotel bedroom.

This aircraft crashed 31/03/88 at Cairo Int. when an engine caught fire on the 2nd take-off attempt, killing all on board (4).

Ex PH-DCU. Ex KLM aircraft back on familiar soil. Unfortunately crashed on take-off from Cairo 31/3/88.

PH-DCU was sold in the US as N29954 in 1983.

PH-DCU was delivered to KLM in 2.66 and sold as N29553 in 2.83 to United Air Leasing, later flying for TAAT amongst others. To Arax 11.85 but w/o at Cairo on 1.4.88 on departure for Sharjah when an engine caught fire on the second take-off attempt, crashing at the runway end. 53,176 hours logged. Sad to relate that plans to preserve former sister-ship PH-DCZ at the Aviodrome came to nothing, the aircraft being scrapped as 9G-MKA at Manston