Posted on 11/14/2004 8:27:49 AM PST by madfly
The Transportation Security Administration issued an advisory on Friday that a Piper PA 25 Pawnee crop-dusting aircraft was stolen from Ejido Queretaro, near Mexicali, Mexico, on Nov. 1. "Although there is currently no indication that this has any connection to terrorist activity," the TSA said, "the theft is cause for concern.
Past information indicates that members of al-Qa'ida may have planned -- or may still be planning -- to disperse biological or chemical agents from cropdusting aircraft."
The stolen aircraft is registered in Mexico and bears the tail number XBCYP. If you see the aircraft, the TSA says you should immediately contact the TSA General Aviation Hotline at (866) 427-3287.M/b>
The TSA encouraged aerial-application operators and airport operators to take security measures such as storing aircraft in locked hangars with electronic security systems, parking airport heavy equipment such as trucks and forklifts where it would block aircraft access, use propeller locks and chains or tie-downs to secure aircraft stored outdoors, and more.
Additional security guidelines are available from the TSA and the National Agricultural Aviation Association.
The TSA added that any suspicious activity should be reported immediately to local law enforcement as well as to the TSA General Aviation Hotline at 866-GASECUR (866-427-3287).
ping
Crop dusters are stolen everyday.
Not!!!
2nd Their = They're
Isn't the Pawnee essentially a Low Wing variant of the Super Cub?
How many parts are interchangeable and was it possibly stolen for the Super Cub parts?
Are there some Aztec or Apache part in the airframe as well?
What is the range of this plane? OBL warned red states of a hit - they are all along the Mexico border. Also a discussion of OBL already having permission of the mullahs to use nuke - on another thread, and on talk shows.
Houston, you may have a problem with incoming.
Also reported 5 days ago at:
TSA Raises Alert Over Stolen Crop-Duster
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1275899/posts
Yeah let's hope for the best that it just for drug drops and nothing more sinister.
http://michellemalkin.com/archives/000824.htm
TSA wants to know: Have you seen a stray Piper PA 25 Pawnee crop-dusting aircraft? It was stolen last week in Mexico.
"Although there is currently no indication that this has any connection to terrorist activity," the TSA said, "the theft is cause for concern. Past information indicates that members of al-Qa'ida may have planned -- or may still be planning -- to disperse biological or chemical agents from cropdusting aircraft."
(Photo of the aircraft is included in this PDF file.)
TSA doesn't mention it, but fugitive Saudi pilot and suspected al Qaeda operative Adnan Shukrijumah remains the subject of an FBI manhunt along the U.S.-Mexico border and was reportedly tracked to Sonora, Mexico in August. Shukrijumah has been linked by federal authorities to Zacarias Moussaoui (who researched crop dusters), Jose Padilla and al Qaeda's alleged dirty bomb plot. More here.
Could be something. Could be nothing. Like those missing propane cylinders. And that still-missing gas tanker stolen in Jersey.
Okay, for us security moms, need some answers:
1. What biological agent can be dispersed from a crop duster?
2. What is the span, or how much land can a crop duster "dust" in one flight (presume it would pretty much be shot down)?
3. Does weather play a factor? I mean, does the biological agent only "work" above 50 degrees?
4. What precautions can/should be taken? Should we keep gas masks in the basement?
Bottom line, what can we anticipate the danger to be and how can we prepare for it, we being the average family?
Any info you can give is much appreciated. I just can't sit by and wait and see what happens. I would like to make some sort of precautionary measures at home and I feel like ther's nothing I can do.
Connecting the dots:
--- crop duster missing
--- fuel tanker truck missing -- FBI is asking public's help
FBI seeks help in missing fuel tanker case
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1279272/posts
--- Bin Laden get religious approval to use nukes against the US
--- Captured AQ terrorist says AQ is planning to smuggle nuked into Mexico & US:
Bordering On Nukes?
New accounts from al-Qaeda to attack the U.S. with weapons of mass destruction
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1279661/posts
The tail number is XBCYP! Goodie... now that we know the tail number any kind of bio attack will be impossible !!! ;-))
first item on the agenda - change the registration number.
What idiot would not think of that? Who is in charge of border security?
This is a little off-topic,but the TSA was mentioned. Yesterday I watched CSpan, booknotes with Michael Smerconish who wrote the book, "Flying Blind". It is mostly about airport security. He noted that Minneta (sp), head of Transportation Dept. is all about NO profiling, especially Arabs. 4 airlines have been fined millions by the Transportation Dept. because they have pulled aside Arabs meeting certain terrorist profiles (even names close to the watch list). The rules he's set down for airport security are impossible, basically everyone gets the third degree, no profiling allowed. It seems our security at airports is about as non existant as security on the border. We remain a politically correct, unprotected country.
Would you put me on your ping list, please.
Thanks!!
"Who is in charge of border security?"
Secty. Powell just assured us a few days ago that he and his "Mexican counterparts" have it handled. You know, those same corrupt counterparts who have done all they could to promote the problem and would not stand by the USA in our fight against terrorism.
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