"It truly was a scam. They tricked the control tower, saying
they were low on fuel."
Source: Betty Maldonado, a spokeswoman for Peru's
aviation authority, CORPAC, telling the Associated Press that a
fuel emergency declared by an Air Rum L-1011 was simply a ruse. The
Gambian crew and passengters were headed to Peru to watch their
national team play in the FIFA Under 17 Soccer Championship game.
They were late -- and apparently decided to bypass normal
procedures, land near the stadium and get the passengers to the
game. Gambia beat Qatar in the finals 3-1. It may, however, be some
time before the L-1011 can leave Peru.