True Stories of Aircraft Theft: From Small Planes to Large Airliners

Have you ever wondered if someone could really steal an aircraft, especially based on the dramatic portrayals in Hollywood movies? While aircraft thefts do occur, they are relatively rare and often more complex than the events depicted in films. Let's explore some real-life incidents where aircraft were stolen or hijacked, and what makes them unique.

Notable Incidents of Aircraft Theft

D.B. Cooper (1971)

One of the most famous cases of aircraft theft involved D.B. Cooper, a man who used a fake bomb to hijack a Northwest Orient Airlines flight in 1971. After receiving a ransom, he parachuted out of the plane with the money, and his fate remains unknown. This incident was captured in the movie The D.B. Cooper Flying Circus, which, while dramatizing the events, didn't fully capture their complexity.

Aeroméxico Flight 576 (1993)

In 1993, armed men hijacked a domestic Aeroméxico flight and forced the pilots to land at a different airport. Although this was a hijacking rather than a theft, it involved unauthorized control of the aircraft. This incident highlights the severe nature of aircraft hijackings and their potential social and humanitarian impacts.

Small Plane Theft (2003)

In a more straightforward theft, an individual in the United States stole a small Cessna 172 aircraft from an airport. These smaller airplanes are often stolen, though they are seldom used for high-stakes operations. The 2003 incident in Angola, where a Boeing 727 airliner was stolen, is another example. The plane had been in service with American Airlines for 25 years before its disappearance.

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 (2014)

While not a theft in the traditional sense, the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in 2014 involved the mysterious disappearance of an aircraft, leading to speculation and intrigue. This incident demonstrates that even large commercial aircraft can vanish under mysterious circumstances.

General Aviation Plane Thefts

Many reported cases of aircraft theft involve planes in the General Aviation (GA) category. These planes are typically small, light, and easy to fly, making them perfect targets for thieves. For instance, a teenager in the United States was jailed for repeatedly stealing and using a Cessna 150 plane for personal flight, all without permission or pilot's license.

Boeing 727 in Angola (2003)

The most dramatic incident of a large airliner being stolen occurred in May 2003 when a Boeing 727 aircraft was taken in Angola. The plane had been in service with American Airlines for 25 years before its disappearance. This incident demonstrates that large aircraft can indeed be stolen, although it is rare.

Spy Thrillers and Real-Life Theft

While not as spectacular as Hollywood films, there are real-life cases where aircraft, especially smaller ones, have been stolen or used in unusual ways. For example, Alexander Rusinov recounts a case where a mechanic took an A-4M Skyhawk fighter jet for a joyride. This incident, which made headlines, is a stark reminder that even military aircraft can be stolen under certain circumstances.

The film Steal the Sky is based on a true story where an individual stole a small plane and used it for personal gain. Such incidents, while rare, highlight the vulnerabilities in aircraft security and the potential for theft to occur.

While aircraft thefts are rare, they do occur, and understanding their real-life context is crucial for both aviation enthusiasts and the general public. The next time you watch a movie about stolen aircraft, remember that the reality often involves much more complexity and subtlety than the dramatic portrayals on screen.