reading posts here on Baja Bush Pilots Forum, I felt compelled to post something. Myself (being the pilot and owner) am the one who was robbed of my
airplane in Mulege by gun point, I am hearing from many people back in the US and here in Mulege that "that's it" they are not coming back to Mulege
until something is done. Well, I'm here to tell you that not only has the military returned on the strip in full force but also in town.The Hotel
Serindad has also told me that they have had some cancellations not only individuals but some medical groups as well. This is a damn shame, what the
hell are some of you people thinking? Oh, all let's grab our tails and run home?
Just so you know, I am still in Mulege and I for one have not turned tail and am currently looking to replace my 206 and I will be back in Mulege.
The Mulege strip has never been safer than it is right NOW!
If you are afraid to come to Mexico with your plane because this might happen to you then go buy a lotto ticket because you have a better chance at
that.
My family and I refuse to let these S.O.B.s win.
The town of Mulege is terribly embarrassed and deeply sorry for what has happened here. They are taking responsiblity. The governor, the military and
the townspeople are taking action. Mulege will be as we all remember- a place that is safe for all.sd - 5-2-2008 at 02:20 PM
Vince,
It is great to hear your comments.
Hope you are all doing well, and enjoy Baja!Gadget - 5-2-2008 at 02:29 PM
Thats the spirit brother!Pescador - 5-2-2008 at 02:38 PM
Way to go Vince, I wholeheartedly agree with you. It was an unfortunate incident but unless it ties in to some deep seated fear of unknown places, it
seems to be throwing out the baby with the bath water to completely withdraw from the whole place. We all learned from your experiences and will keep
a closer watch out for that type of thing in the future, but it has not changed how I feel about this little peninsula.
Right-on Vince!
Sharksbaja - 5-2-2008 at 02:43 PM
Good to hear the way he feels.
That's exactly what some of us here have been saying about Mulege. These opportunists won't return. I am sure of that. But the folks who really love
Mulege will.
That other type of gringo belongs in the safety of their own little world back home. Hopefully they will be replaced with people of will and
determination.
I say let that crowd go away with their tales between their legs. No guts, no
glory!
[Edited on 5-3-2008 by Sharksbaja]
[Edited on 5-3-2008 by Sharksbaja]baja Steve - 5-2-2008 at 03:08 PM
Vince
Great post. I have talked to a lot of friends (Baja travelers). They as myself have read and heard all the stories about not returning to Baja. All of
the people I do volunteer work with in Baja S are looking forward to returning to Baja in November. We personally feel secure when in Baja and will be
doing the same things we always done. The people that don’t feel safe should stay home, they will be replaced by new people and Baja will go on. Thank
you for your report.Iflyfish - 5-2-2008 at 03:41 PM
Good to hear from you and of your resolve. We on this list were very concerned about you and your family. I am pleased to hear that you are ok and of
your resolve to continue to enjoy Baja.
IflyfishDENNIS - 5-2-2008 at 04:05 PM
Wait a minute, I'm confused.
Vince...Are you the pilot or are you relaying a post from the BBP Forum?
[Edited on 5-2-2008 by DENNIS]Phil S - 5-2-2008 at 04:32 PM
Vince. Wasn't there another 206 or was it a 210 that was stolen (not at gunpoint) last year sometime from Mulege strip???? I'm sure THAT owner was
as upset as you. So my question now is? Aren't these pilots (probably gringo's) that are taking them to the mainland & either selling, or using
for drug flights into the states? That's two that come to mind right now. But if my memory serves me right, I think the number of planes that have
been stolen from Serenidad field in the past ten years(or maybe it was 15 years) is 9. Does anyone see an end to this????????Heck of a note that the
military has to concentrate their forces for airplane protection!!!!!! If I owned a plane and was staying at Mulege for a period of time, I'd
probably remove a magneto or something complicated.
[Edited on 5-2-2008 by Phil S]Phil S - 5-2-2008 at 04:36 PM
Oooooopppppssssss! Sorry Vince. I read like you were the pilot. Does bring up a good question regarding the number of thefts over the years. Is
there anyone in town or surrounding area that suddenly seems to have acquired a large sum of money that has lived there for some time.???
[Edited on 5-2-2008 by Phil S]LancairDriver - 5-2-2008 at 06:26 PM
The military left Mulege and the airstrip at Serenidad after the big flood of a few years ago. Shortly after that a 210 was stolen from a part time
resident who is there as this post is being written. He has replaced the aircraft and spends as much time in Mulege as possible. The recent hijacking
of the 206 was undoubtedly enabled by the absence of the Military, as was the theft of the 210. These are the only thefts I am aware of recently.
Since the Military is back in force, it seems unlikely to have any more thefts or hijackings. Hopefully we have seen the last of these. Flying into
Mulege is critical to the Medical and economic well being of a large portion of Baja and should return to normal soon.fulano - 5-2-2008 at 11:16 PM
From the AVIATION CRIME PREVENTION INSTITUTE.INC :
"INDUSTRY ALERT: The Mexican Government is seizing aircraft in an "accelerated" manner. This means the traffickers will need to replace seized
aircraft quickly to continue business.
The immediate threat was named as King Air models, Caravans and medium/heavy Cessna Cabin Class Twins.
That doesn't mean the Cessna singles are being ignored.
Please take appropriate action to alert your industry associates to take measures to secure and guard their planes ."
4/14/08
ARMED THEFT FROM MEXICO
$5,000 REWARD is offered by AIG Aviation Inc. for the intact return of the following aircraft.
1978 Cessna TU206G, U.S. registration N756RM, SN: U206-04296
ACPI reports a armed theft of this aircraft on Monday morning April 14th, 2008.
The theft occurred at El Gallito Airport, operated by the Hotel Serenidad in Muldge, Mexico. This city is on the Gulf of California about halfway down
the Baja Peninsula.
The aircraft was loaded with the owner, passenger and baggage at the departure end of the runway ready to takeoff. It was then surrounded by six armed
men.
The hijackers forced the people off the plane and boarded.
It took off eastbound.
The aircraft is White with tan stripes. No other details are available at this time.
There was another theft from this airport in December of 2006. "
"1/15/2008
STOLEN AIRCRAFT ALERT FROM MEXICO
A $5,000 Reward
is being offered by Global Aerospace, Inc for information leading to the intact return of this aircraft to the United States and it's rightful owner.
1981 Cessna U206G,
N6188Z, U206-06182.
This aircraft was reported stolen on
January 12th, 2008 from Ensenada, Mexico.
Aircraft has Large US Registration Numbers
Contact:
Herman A. "Woody" Loepp, (913) 451-9660, (913) 744-0095 -- Cell
hloepp@global-aero.com Claim number: HP-623108
Or ACPI 800-969-5473."
AIG contact is:
Seth Magid,
Claims Unit Manager
AIG Aviation Inc.Scottsdale, AZ 85254
(480) 699-8485: Phone, (480) 699-8280: Fax
Or
Contact: ACPI, 800-969-5473, acpiusa@aol.com"
"11/15/06
A $10,000 REWARD is being offered for the intact return of a armed theft of a
1978 Cessna 207A, Reg No: N207BD, Serial No.: 20700425.
Aircraft was stolen at gunpoint at an airport just outside of La Paz, Baja California
Aircraft is reported blue and white with a gold stripe. Aircraft apparently has many after market security features, however since the insured was
preflighting the aircraft at the time of the theft, they were all unarmed.
Reported Incident: On November 2, 2006 at around 14:50 hours, three individuals, representing to be two watchmen of Echo Services and the pilot of the
aircraft, approached the airport security guards. When the three individuals were allowed clearance to the airport facilities, they burst in, aiming
at the people who were there reportedly taking hostage the security guards. One of the suspects approached the insured that was reportedly
preflighting the aircraft to fly to San Jose and/or Cabo, South Baja California. The suspect took the keys of the aircraft from the insured, loaded
the two other suspects in the aircraft, and immediately departed the airport in the aircraft with their course unknown.
Contact:
Eric Rank AIG AVIATION, Inc. Scottsdale, AZ 85254 Intl: 011- 480-699-8314,805gregg - 5-3-2008 at 07:02 AM
The presence of the military just causes the problem to go somewhere else. I think the need for a military presence is the scary thought. Are the
military any more resistant to bribes or threats, than the local cops? Last summer in a small village, I personally witnessed a drug sale house
opperating across the plaza from the military encampment. It's the mentality that it's ok to be a thief, robber, drug dealer etc. if you don't get
caught, that needs to change. Who wants to live in or visit a military state?Bob and Susan - 5-3-2008 at 07:05 AM
"Who wants to live in or visit a military state?"
ever been to LAX lately????David K - 5-3-2008 at 07:10 AM
Greg, in Baja from my experiences, the military has been a good thing (in keeping the mafia away)... It is when they left the Serenidad airstrip that
a problem happened...
So, in Latin America you can either have the legal government forces present to maintain law and order or the mafia (or communist guerrillas) who make
their own rules to serve their ambitions.capt. mike - 5-3-2008 at 07:13 AM
i have been flying to Mulege regularly since 1981 and only know of 2 thefts from there, one Pats last month and the other one the 210 mentioned above
by Lancairdrvr which was owned by my friend and his, ML.
i was there with the Flyin sams the sunday morning the 210 was ripped at daybreak 5:30.
did M replace the 210? i didn't know he did.
well he'll be back in Oregon by the time i get south again.David K - 5-3-2008 at 07:13 AM
If you travel around the world, seeing the military at airports is a normal thing... It took the attack of 9-11 to have us join the world in doing the
same. Whatever the reasons, there have been no more since... and that is a good thing!LancairDriver - 5-3-2008 at 07:26 AM
ML replaced the stolen 210 with a nice low time P210 which he hasn't taken to Mulege yet. He has been taking the 340 down. Yeah- he usually leaves in
May when it starts to warm up, so will probably be out of there soon.Kell-Baja - 5-3-2008 at 01:43 PM
Good for you!!
He told me once that
capt. mike - 5-3-2008 at 03:29 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by LancairDriver
ML replaced the stolen 210 with a nice low time P210 which he hasn't taken to Mulege yet. He has been taking the 340 down. Yeah- he usually leaves in
May when it starts to warm up, so will probably be out of there soon.
he is good at collecting aeroplanes but lousy at parting with them, i think the total was 5 when the 210 was stolen? so he's back up to 5 again? no
wonder he keeps his mechanic so busy!bajalera - 5-3-2008 at 06:15 PM
Thank you, Vince. After some of the scary How-I-Narrowly-Escaped creative writing efforts we've had on this board, your realistic view is refreshing.Vince - 5-4-2008 at 09:54 PM
SORRY for the confusion! I (Vince) posted the comments of Pat, the pilot because he is not a NOMAD. I transferred it over from the BAJA BUSH PILOT
website. Doesn't matter, Pat has the right idea and the right stuff to not let the ******** get him down and get right back to Mulege in a new 206.
Yes, there was a 210 hijacked from Serenedad last November. That one was never recovered, the owner has continued to fly to Serenedad. We are all
hoping the army will help prevent further theft now that they have returned.
[Edited on 5-5-2008 by Hose A]bajaboolie - 5-4-2008 at 10:25 PM
Thanks for clearing that one up, 'Vince.' When I first read that I had to do a
double take, because I was pretty sure it wasn't you! Pompano - 5-5-2008 at 05:44 AM
Aloha...No confusion, Vince, I read the BBP report first and knew what you meant with 'From the hijacked pilot.'
A few more planes stolen over the years: Vince, maybe you remember way, way back when?....a neighbor of ours had his twin Aztez stolen from the
Serinadad strip? Granted that was back in the dark ages....
That particular plane did not make it very far, nor did the thieves. As fuel ran out to the engines soon after takeoff, the twin crashed and exploded
50 feet under a Mulege hilltop just before dawn. It was quite an exciting morning, as the town thought it was the aircraft owner and me burned to a
crisp...instead of two plane thieves from the mainland.
Never a dull moment, eh?
On planes...there was a great airshow over San Diego Bay this weekend.Bob and Susan - 5-5-2008 at 06:11 AM
roger...how could you see the air show from coyote???
between their legs. No guts, no
glory!
