The gold story was a rumor that went around several days ago. Haven’t heard any more about it since.
The gold cargo story was on today’s news today where I live.
I didn’t hear it, my GF repeated it to me a few minutes after she saw the report somewhere.
The motive can only be:
1.) Valuable cargo stolen (gold?)
2.) Aircraft stolen to be used as a flying bomb fairly soon.
Other 777’s could be used as cover.
This pilot could shadow a legitimate flight on its way into a European city below the radar over a body of water or friendly Islamic nation... cohorts could shoot down a legitimate flight and he could immediately turn on the transponder to clone the killed flight - thereby assuming its identity and flight path.
Then he could fly right into any city he wants with an explosives laden aircraft - nobody would be suspicious as they would be expecting a 777 to be arriving.
Say Iranians were involved... they could blast a 777 full of passengers on its way into, say, Tel Aviv. Then this stolen plane - packed to the gills with high explosives - could then pop up in its place and crash into the Dimona nuclear facility or some other high value target.
This whole story is beyond surreal - but I will bet the facts are:
1.) The pilot stole this plane
2.) Flew to 45,000 feet to kill all passengers
3.) Motive is either cargo or the aircraft itself.
4.) If it’s the aircraft, it is only for spectacular terrorism as there is no other value
5.) The pilot and copilot were both very religious, devout Muslims.