Time Out
12th Nov 2003, 15:03
Helicopter Turns Up Missing From Missouri Plant
Missing Aircraft May Not Have Been Assembled
POSTED: 9:44 p.m. CST November 11, 2003
UPDATED: 10:10 p.m. CST November 11, 2003
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. -- A helicopter disappeared last week from an Excelsior Springs manufacturing plant, KMBC reported.
Officials are uncertain what stage of assembly the aircraft was in when it disappeared.
The aircraft, a one-seat personal chopper called a "Mini-500 Turbine," is manufactured by Stitt Industries in the small Missouri town. The aircraft costs a few thousand dollars unassembled, but Federal Aviation Administration regulations stipulate that Stitt Industries must build a percentage of the craft before its owner completes the assembly.
"It's basically a build-it-yourself type of shop, but because of FAA regulations, we (have to) build some of it," Joe Duravant said.
Stitt Industries was assisting in the assembly of the missing helicopter for an Austrian owner. It was one of 18 helicopters in various stages of assembly at the Excelsior Springs facility when it disappeared last week.
Duravant said the missing chopper probably wasn't completed.
"It wasn't full -- like no rotors or anything like that -- probably just the frame without the body," he said.
Shop owner Rick Stitt was unavailable to comment on the missing helicopter's assembly.
One source told KMBC's Tom Corvin that a witness saw a flatbed truck leaving town, carrying what looked like a Mini-500. However, police have not confirmed that information.
Source (http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/news/2630452/detail.html) - with small piccy.
Okay, this week I'm providing light relief!!!
Missing Aircraft May Not Have Been Assembled
POSTED: 9:44 p.m. CST November 11, 2003
UPDATED: 10:10 p.m. CST November 11, 2003
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. -- A helicopter disappeared last week from an Excelsior Springs manufacturing plant, KMBC reported.
Officials are uncertain what stage of assembly the aircraft was in when it disappeared.
The aircraft, a one-seat personal chopper called a "Mini-500 Turbine," is manufactured by Stitt Industries in the small Missouri town. The aircraft costs a few thousand dollars unassembled, but Federal Aviation Administration regulations stipulate that Stitt Industries must build a percentage of the craft before its owner completes the assembly.
"It's basically a build-it-yourself type of shop, but because of FAA regulations, we (have to) build some of it," Joe Duravant said.
Stitt Industries was assisting in the assembly of the missing helicopter for an Austrian owner. It was one of 18 helicopters in various stages of assembly at the Excelsior Springs facility when it disappeared last week.
Duravant said the missing chopper probably wasn't completed.
"It wasn't full -- like no rotors or anything like that -- probably just the frame without the body," he said.
Shop owner Rick Stitt was unavailable to comment on the missing helicopter's assembly.
One source told KMBC's Tom Corvin that a witness saw a flatbed truck leaving town, carrying what looked like a Mini-500. However, police have not confirmed that information.
Source (http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/news/2630452/detail.html) - with small piccy.
Okay, this week I'm providing light relief!!!