SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
A thief crashed a chopper at Sacramento Executive Airport after breaking into multiple helicopters overnight, police said.
Someone trespassed on the property between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. and tried to start four helicopters sitting on the tarmac, Sacramento police said. The person eventually got one chopper started, and it crashed.
If the rock can do it, it must be real easy. I'd like to know how he figured out the starting sequence. As far as flying one goes all you have to do is twist the throttle to full power, pull back on the stick and give it hard right rudder. You'll be airborne in no time.
The thing is on a lot of general avaition aircraft and helicopters the only lock is on the door and in the cockpit it's just a bunch of switches. Once upon a time, a long time ago, my supervisor told me to go take a Navajo Cheiftan out and run it up and see what was wrong with the engines. The owner had written it up as "running rough". It was locked but I had a set of passkeys so I got in, fired it up, got clearance from the tower and took it out on a taxiway for a full run up. The engines ran fine but that is mostly because it was the wrong airplane. The owner was very surprised to see his aircraft out on the taxiway running full blast. I call this story "That time I accidentally stole a Navajo". I did give it back.
That's about a $5MM flight lesson
ReplyDeleteIf the rock can do it, it must be real easy. I'd like to know how he figured out the starting sequence. As far as flying one goes all you have to do is twist the throttle to full power, pull back on the stick and give it hard right rudder. You'll be airborne in no time.
ReplyDeleteAnd then you'll shortly be spinning and the likely sideways....until you nose over and fall.
DeleteTry it sometime.
I suppose you don't know real sarcasm when you read it. Mufflerking, not anaon.
DeleteTake-offs are optional; landings are mandatory.
ReplyDeleteUp, down, left, right... got it.
ReplyDeleteLet's fly.
Piece of cake!
ReplyDeleteThe thing is on a lot of general avaition aircraft and helicopters the only lock is on the door and in the cockpit it's just a bunch of switches. Once upon a time, a long time ago, my supervisor told me to go take a Navajo Cheiftan out and run it up and see what was wrong with the engines. The owner had written it up as "running rough". It was locked but I had a set of passkeys so I got in, fired it up, got clearance from the tower and took it out on a taxiway for a full run up. The engines ran fine but that is mostly because it was the wrong airplane. The owner was very surprised to see his aircraft out on the taxiway running full blast. I call this story "That time I accidentally stole a Navajo". I did give it back.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the kid had dozens of hours on flight sim in his mom's garage and was convinced he was totally qualified.
ReplyDelete