NEWS: TSA Issues Alert Over Stolen Crop Duster

The Transportation Security Administration has issued an alert about a missing crop duster stolen in Mexico. There are not saying whether this is a terrorism incident or not. They are asking anyone who has seen the missing aircraft to contact the proper authorities.


The aircraft is registered in Mexico and the tail number is tail number XBCYP If you see this aircraft contact General Aviation Hotline at (866) 427-3287, any suspicious activity should also be reported at the following number: TSA General Aviation Hotline at 866-GASECUR (866-427-3287).

It is reported that the aircraft was stolen November 1st, and although they are not claiming that this is terrorist related, they have stated that Al Qaeda "may have planned, or may still be planning, to disperse biological or chemical agents from cropdusting aircraft."

[edit on 8-11-2004 by deeprivergal]

I hope there's nothing to this story - but . . .

If this is a terror attack in the making, a crop duster delivering a bio-chemical payload over a busy city street, football stadium etc could cause some serious damage.

By it's very nature a plane of this type could get through to a target, flying low to the ground to avoid radar etc and easily getting into the states.

Don't suppose the range is very long on one of these things, but they could easily land on an airstrip somewhere to refuel before going onto their target.

Having to land on multiple airstrips would be a risky operation. The terrorist's best bet would be to strike at a target near the mexico border. Flying this thing to New York is probably out of the question. This is all assuming the crop duster was stolen for the specific intent of an attack, which I find doubtful.

If this aircraft is indeed in the hands of terrorists and their intent is to attack an area of population with biological or chemical agents, then alerts should go into effect immediately to watch for low flying aircraft with crop-dusting capabilities over populated areas.

If one is seen, it should be forced down by all means. I am sure that most legitimate pilots are aware of flight-restricted airspace.

Pilots that compromise flight rules only endanger themselves.

"Hot-dog" pilots tend to have short flying careers (if you know what I mean). The person that took into their possession the said aircraft is definitely a "hot-dog" pilot.

Enough said. Shoot him down! There exists no reason to steal an aircraft of any type.





[edit on 8/11/04 by Intelearthling]