BajaNomad

another plane stolen in Bay of L. A.

marv sherrill - 7-7-2009 at 03:56 PM

My friend John flew down for a long weekend, and was scheduled to fly out monday morning,but his plane was stolen around 4AM - we heard it fly over our houses! (Quite a coincidence....) It had a "Krytonite" prop lock on and two ignition disablers, which didn't seem to be much of a hinderance. A few weeks ago there was a bust that netted a van with full key making capabilities - these guys are real pros. Lot of planes in and out over the past few days - If you choose to fly in here plan to hire an armed guard for the nights. Maybe talk to the military and police before you leave your plane. After Tom of the flying samaritans plane was taken months ago, they have not been back and the town is suffering . This will hurt tourism in the long run, even though this has been one of the greatest summers so far great fishing, whale sharks, etc.
Just reporting the facts - a real bummer for John as he had just totally redone the interior and exterior. ,Marv

DianaT - 7-7-2009 at 04:16 PM

That is terrible news----really sorry for your friend.

Having had a truck stolen from a parking lot, I know that sinking, unbelievable feeling that happens when one discovers their mode of transportation gone----just sick.

I hope he had insurance of some type?

Thanks for reporting this----

Oggie - 7-7-2009 at 05:03 PM

Marv,

Does John have a way to get home. We are in LA Bay and leaving on Friday. We live in Carlsbad, Ca.

Paulina - 7-7-2009 at 05:07 PM

I'm so sorry for your friend and for the people of the town who are also suffering from these loosers. It really doesn't make any sense at all not to have a military presence at that landing strip. After all the base is almost a stones throw away.

Do you remember when planes used to fly in at night, or at dusk in town or even out at Munoz's strip? The military used to be on those planes like flies in just a matter of minutes.

Now it seems that they've turned a deaf ear to the drone of a plane after the sun goes down or even before it comes up, for that matter.

Dianne is right, what a sick feeling!

P<*)))>{

fishbuck - 7-7-2009 at 05:09 PM

What type of plane? Does anyone know? A Cessna 210 perhaps?

Most have insurance--but the whole aviation community

beercan - 7-7-2009 at 07:25 PM

pays for this crap through higher costs.

Then like most of us pilots, that feeling that your Mistress has been taken!!
Quote:

I hope he had insurance of some type?


[Edited on 7-8-2009 by beercan]

805gregg - 7-7-2009 at 08:49 PM

I'm sure the Mexican Goverment is on the search for the culprits. A little tax due.

Bob H - 7-7-2009 at 09:00 PM

Just another reminder of how we all miss the old days, even if only 15 years ago.... this sh... did NOT happen in Baja then. It's just so sad.
Bob H

Paulina - 7-7-2009 at 09:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob H
Just another reminder of how we all miss the old days, even if only 15 years ago.... this sh... did NOT happen in Baja then. It's just so sad.
Bob H


Exactly.

You could pull your plane up to your place and leave it there, or if you were concerned about the winds you could tie your airplane up in front of Casa Diaz to an old tire half burried in the ground. The tires are still there today. The "good old days" are not.

That's me on the right standing in front of Wiles' dad's plane in 1981, Villa Vita Hotel is in the background.


P<*)))>{



[Edited on 8-7-2009 by Paulina]

LancairDriver - 7-7-2009 at 11:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fishbuck
What type of plane? Does anyone know? A Cessna 210 perhaps?


The owner reported on the Baja Bush Pilots site that it was a Cessna 182N

Geo_Skip - 7-8-2009 at 02:38 AM

Bad news. good friendly help offers.. What a refreshing set of comments without the nattering nabobs of negativity!. You are the reason I come back to Baja Nomads. I instinctively like and trust MOST of you (the hate flamers can go pound sand...but I wish they would do so).

capt. mike - 7-8-2009 at 06:33 AM

Skip - are you on Delphi comanche forums? that's the only place i have heard the phrase nattering nabobs of negativity.:yes:

i read about the 182 going bye bye earlier on BBP....man that SUCKS!!!!!!!!!
BOLA really should have a garrison posted like most of the other strips do.

i am telling ya - between this and the eAPIS nonsense flyers are staying away from baja and mexico in droves. too bad.
mine is not a cartel preferred bird. if i had a 180 or 200 series Cessna plane i would be DONE with baja by now.
i have 4 freinds i know personally now who have had their 210s and 182s 206s stolen. and at least 4 others i don't know personally but have enjoyed the same heart sickening feeling - all in last 5 years.

larryC - 7-8-2009 at 07:12 AM

I am not a pilot, but couldn't something be taken off the plane that would make it very difficult to steal like a tire, or maybe the battery? Something easy but would render the plane unflyable, yet be easy to replace by the owner/operator. Just a thought, but these damn types of problems are hurting us down here. Sad that it has come to this.
Larry

Then 'us' needs to fix it.

Dave - 7-8-2009 at 07:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by larryC
these damn types of problems are hurting us down here.


Where was security?

And if my community depended on the generosity of the Flying Sams then I would make damn sure the planes were safe. Have the whole town camp on he runway.

tripledigitken - 7-8-2009 at 08:03 AM

Capt Mike,

Like others I wonder why the planes can't be dissabled by the owners to the extent that thiefs wouldn't bother.


Ken

They are watching and are prepared in most cases.

beercan - 7-8-2009 at 08:13 AM

Looks like they are now running short of 206's and 210's --next on the list are, again, twins and Piper Lances, and Saratoga's

ElFaro - 7-8-2009 at 09:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by marv sherrill
It had a "Krytonite" prop lock on and two ignition disablers, which didn't seem to be much of a hinderance. A few weeks ago there was a bust that netted a van with full key making capabilities - these guys are real pros. Lot of planes in and out over the past few days -


Marv or anyone else...With all the planes in and out are the pros picking certain planes to prey on or are they capable of penetrating all disabling devices like locks and ign. locks. Is it just being able to make keys or are we talking saws and cutting torches ?

LancairDriver - 7-8-2009 at 10:07 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
Capt Mike,

Like others I wonder why the planes can't be dissabled by the owners to the extent that thiefs wouldn't bother.


Ken


A lot of thought has gone into the idea of simply disabling an airplane that can easily be made operable again. Any modification that compromises the airworthiness of the aircraft is subject to FAA approval and is called an "STC" Without this the aircraft is deemed "unairworthy" and insurance would be worthless. However, this doesn't stop some enterprising pilots to come up with innovative ways to disable their aircraft, and obviously they don't want to disclose methods used for obvious reasons. Some have offered an unofficial "underground" way of sharing this information to select, trusted friends. Too bad this information can't selectively be available to all.

tripledigitken - 7-8-2009 at 10:30 AM

LancairDriver,

Read u loud and clear!

Thanks,

Ken

bajaguy - 7-8-2009 at 10:33 AM

How about setting a "bait" airplane that would only stay airborne for 10-15 minutes??????....might solve some of the problems

4baja - 7-8-2009 at 12:12 PM

we heard it fly over our house, seemed very early for a plane.

Skipjack Joe - 7-8-2009 at 12:15 PM

What happens to such a plane after it's stolen?

What is it used for?

How does it stay undetected after every airport in the country is notified it's stolen?

Just curious.

marv sherrill - 7-8-2009 at 12:58 PM

Thanks all - John's son-in-law drove down and picked them up - he had to get back to work asap - As for what happens to the plane - I figured it flies straight to mainland Mex - lands on an airstrip in the jungle and shuttles drugs after being repainted and numbered- never sees an airport.

Dave - 7-8-2009 at 01:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
How does it stay undetected after every airport in the country is notified it's stolen?


Right.

I'm sure the plane landed at an airport. :rolleyes:

fishbuck - 7-8-2009 at 04:40 PM

I always thought about taking one of the wheels off. Pretty difficult to takeoff like that.
Take about 10 minutes to remove one. Nose gear probably easiest.

Libertygoat - 7-8-2009 at 06:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
How about setting a "bait" airplane that would only stay airborne for 10-15 minutes??????....might solve some of the problems

Or make it so it'll fall out of the sky if the failsafe is not reset by the knowing (owner) person prior to liftoff. You may lose the plane(bummer!), but you also lose the culprit.

Skipjack Joe - 7-8-2009 at 10:36 PM

Or what about having a 'tracking emitting device' that would law enforcement to easily tell where it is as soon as notified of stolen airplane? After all it's wide open up there. Nowhere to hide for quite some time.

But that's all in the future. Right now it's better to prevent theft from the start.

that is under development

capt. mike - 7-9-2009 at 06:44 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Or what about having a 'tracking emitting device' that would law enforcement to easily tell where it is as soon as notified of stolen airplane? After all it's wide open up there. Nowhere to hide for quite some time.

But that's all in the future. Right now it's better to prevent theft from the start.


by several groups.

i have a friend, he's well known in baja off road racing circles. he has a nice turbo 210 - druggies love those. he does pull the front wheel when at remote strips.

shari - 7-9-2009 at 06:52 AM

good ideas and solutions...remember when we could just park our bikes anywhere...lean it against a wall? Now people take the front wheel with them to work! the times they are a changin...ni modo

Pescador - 7-9-2009 at 05:25 PM

the trucking industry perfected a GPS system that would run for almost a year and had it's own battery. Seems they were having trouble with trucks and equipment getting stolen. You then subscribed to a computer program where you could tell the wherabouts of the system 24 hours a day. After having a boat stolen in Mexico I fantasized about having one on the next boat and thought about how much fun it would be to just pull up on your boat with 5 or 6 of your biggest friends.

I have the same thoughts, but I think a 12 gauge and more will be much better

beercan - 7-9-2009 at 06:59 PM

Quote:
by pescador
I fantasized about having one on the next boat and thought about how much fun it would be to just pull up on your boat with 5 or 6 of your biggest friends.

In the past 25 + years, I have heard and seen many planes after midnight ---

beercan - 7-9-2009 at 07:03 PM

I was sitting out on my front porch in early April when one went over maybe a 1000' in the air--about 10:00 PM
Quote:
by 4Baja
we heard it fly over our house, seemed very early for a plane.