Corsair 747SP LX-ACO

The Corsair 747SP with registration LX-ACO started its life as Boeing 747SP-44 serial number 21253-293. It was originally delivered in 1976 to South African Airways as ZS-SPD named "Majuba." In 1985, it became CN-RMS with Royal Air Maroc. In 1994, it was leased to Corsair and entered the Luxembourg Aircraft Register as LX-ACO. It began service for Corsair in October 1994, flying routes like Paris (Orly) to Bangkok. In 1996, it was re-registered as F-GTOM under the French aircraft registry, still operated by Corsair. The aircraft featured a seating configuration of 20 Business Class and 232 Economy Class passengers toward its final years with Corsair.

The 747SP model is a shortened version of the 747 designed for longer range, with a maximum takeoff weight of 700,000 pounds and a flight range of about 5,830 nautical miles. This aircraft was retired in 2002 due to requiring an expensive 'D' maintenance check. After retirement, it was stored at Chateauroux, France, gradually being stripped for parts. It had accumulated over 78,000 flight hours and nearly 15,000 cycles by the time it was grounded. The aircraft retained Corsair’s original color scheme throughout most of its service life and operated various international routes including Bangkok, Réunion, and others until its retirement.