Ai Algerie Flight disappears over Mali war area

Air Algerie Flight AH5017 may have disappeared over a Mali area that has seen military fighting since at least January 2013. Planes, helicopters, tanks and ground forces have been employed in battles between French supported Malian troops and Islamist insurgent groups. BBC is reporting that weather was also “very bad” in the area of the country that the plane is believed to have gone down.

@CBSThisMorning Map shows flight path of Air Algerie AH5017

France’s involvement with Mali dates back to the late 1800′s when France invaded, renamed and governed the area for about 60 years. Mali regained its independence in 1960, however French remains the predominant language in the region.

The aircraft, a Swiftair MD-83 was introduced in the early 1980′s. It is mostly not operated in the western world anymore, however it is not unusual to use older aircraft like an MD-83 commercially in West African countries.