View Full Version : USA-AUS Ferry Flight - Attempt to Smuggle Drugs
Ovation
20th Jul 2017, 06:57
Hmmm.......
US Agencies have foiled an attempt to smuggle 225kg of drugs on board what appears to be a Cessna 208 ferry. Two of the arrested are Australians and the ferry pilot was a 72 year old US citizen.Link: Daily Telegraph (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/255m-ice-seizure-three-australians-charged-over-small-plane-importation-plan/news-story/6880e191e96677f5791f9fd49d55ff5a)
Ex FSO GRIFFO
20th Jul 2017, 07:54
When I first read the initial news piece headline, I was wondering what type of 'light aircraft' it would be to get 225kg, plus pilot, plus raft etc and fuel to cross to Honolulu, thence Oz....
Glad to see that it never 'got orf the ground'.......
CHEERS to the 'Boys and Gals in Blue'...:D:ok:
Andy_G
20th Jul 2017, 08:16
Seriously, how did these boobs ever think this plan would work, c210 across that distance?, I wonder how much ferry fuel weight was sacrificed to make room for those drugs. Tight fuel margins, single pilot operation,customs inspections, drug sniffer dogs, etc, etc. yeah sure no probs, lets make some quick cash, duh.
27/09
20th Jul 2017, 08:39
If the aircraft in the photo in that article was the proposed ferry aircraft, it sure ain't a C208 and I'd doubt very much it could carry 255 kg of anything and a pilot plus sufficient fuel for the long legs on that route.
Looked like a Turbine C-210P
troppo
20th Jul 2017, 12:29
Looked like a Turbine C-210P
Yup...photos here..
https://i.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/94951209/elderly-australian-pilot-charged-over-plot-to-fly-in-270m-of-drugs-from-us
downdata
20th Jul 2017, 13:03
So what routes can you take to ferry a c206 from us to oz?
mickjoebill
20th Jul 2017, 13:21
Drugs have caused significant problems for Rural Australian folk.
Drugs to the value of $250M street value would result in breakdowns of families, crime and suicides.
Hang draw and quarter these b*stards.
Mjb
cowl flaps
20th Jul 2017, 17:02
When these 3 were nabbed, what offence had 2 of them committed ?
The guy carrying the $2.4 mil is breaking the law if it was in Oz currency,
but is he still guilty of an offence if it were in greenbacks going back to the US ?
Maybe if the pilot was nabbed about to taxi out, yes.
I suppose they knew they had something to charge them with before the arrests.
Sunfish
20th Jul 2017, 20:44
What offence? Conspiracy to commit a crime, to wit, importing illegal drugs.
cowl flaps
20th Jul 2017, 20:57
What offence? Conspiracy to commit a crime, to wit, importing illegal drugs.
I could conspire to jump over the moon, and of course not do it.
If the plane had landed in Oz with the drugs and they were unpacking it, yep, you're nicked.
The pilot has committed an offence from the start by flying it, but the other two guys,- until they get to the US and pay the money and pack the plane, what's the offence ?
parabellum
21st Jul 2017, 00:20
Conspiracy? Conspiracy to: Break several laws pertaining to currency and the movement of class A drugs. May not have had the right documentation for the 'plane either.
Band a Lot
21st Jul 2017, 00:54
Empty weight | 2,730 lb
Max ramp weight | 4,016 lb
Max gross weight | 4,000 lb
Useful load | 1,270 lb
Payload w/full fuel | 556 lb (252kg)
Max takeoff weight | 4,000 lb
Max landing weight | 4,000 lb
Range | 812 nm
Range as tested | 1,089 nm
Fuel capacity, std | 116 gal (115 gal usable)
777 lb (770 lb usable)
Fuel capacity, w/opt tanks | 148 gal (147 gal usable)
992 lb (985 lb usable)
Baggage capacity | 181 lb (0 lb with cargo area tank full)
patagonianworelaud
21st Jul 2017, 02:06
Not unusual to get an overweight permit for those sort of ferry flights.
Mind you they don't seem too interested in obeying the law so probably wouldn't bother.
patty50
21st Jul 2017, 02:41
the other two guys,- until they get to the US and pay the money and pack the plane, what's the offence ?
The charge is (attempted) importation of a commercial quantity with a maximum of life. Importing is such a vague term they can get you for anything. Planning is enough for count as importing.
The things you learn on jury duty!
Band a Lot
21st Jul 2017, 03:25
Not unusual to get an overweight permit for those sort of ferry flights.
Mind you they don't seem too interested in obeying the law so probably wouldn't bother.
Yep lets say 50% with a permit or even 100% overweight without a permit, and assuming it will fly at 100% over Max Take Off Weight, and looking at the photos of the drugs.
My question is where do you put the extra fuel that is needed?
The cargo pod for the 210 might need to be invented first.
RatsoreA
21st Jul 2017, 09:41
http://www.onaircraft.com/the-planes/for-sale/n62sk/
I think this is it...
Very nice bit of kit, for a single.
chimbu warrior
21st Jul 2017, 12:22
I wonder how much ferry fuel weight was sacrificed to make room for those drugs.
I kind of doubt that weight and balance calculations were the first priority in this operation.
If they were wanting to move $250 million worth of "stuff", you'd think they would spend a bit more and get a Kingair at least.
cappt
22nd Jul 2017, 02:42
I used to fly with a pilot who did SE ferry flights from California to Japan and Australia. The fuel bag would take up the entire cabin and often the unoccupied front seat. San Fransisco to Hawaii was the longest leg at 2300NM, after that it was shorter, island hopping.
Band a Lot
22nd Jul 2017, 06:44
I used to fly with a pilot who did SE ferry flights from California to Japan and Australia. The fuel bag would take up the entire cabin and often the unoccupied front seat. San Fransisco to Hawaii was the longest leg at 2300NM, after that it was shorter, island hopping.
I think there is another exit port but is still around 2100NM to Hawaii.
This turbine conversion I think struggles to get to 23,000 feet from what I have read. So its fuel burn will be hard to work out, but landing with dust in the tanks I would guess they need more than 500 litres (more like 600) in the cabin and in the conversion the rear baggage area is already turned into a fuel tank.
Anyone got any better info to know how much fuel they will need for this leg at a realistic flight level?
I know of a M20 that was ferried across the Pacific. Have heard of a C172 also !.
I would do it in a Rolls Royce powered turbine P210.
tail wheel
22nd Jul 2017, 14:32
Looks like an Allison 250 (-B17??) turbine conversion? Similar engine to the Turbine Islander and Nomad but best known for being the Bell 206 helicopter power plant.
Common US after market conversion for Cessna 206 and Beech Bonanza aircraft.
RatsoreA
22nd Jul 2017, 14:43
Looks like an Allison 250 turbine conversion? Similar engine to the Turbine Islander and Nomad but best known for being the Bell 206 helicopter power plant.
Common US conversion for Cessna 206 and Beech Bonanza aircraft.
Tailwheel,
Look at the link I posted... not an Allison, but a RR.
tail wheel
22nd Jul 2017, 17:08
Oakland, California is the usual departure point for light aircraft.
Tankengine
23rd Jul 2017, 01:17
Oakland, California is the usual departure point for light aircraft.
Yep, on San Francisco bay, great museum, long history back to Kingsford Smith etc.
Capt Fathom
23rd Jul 2017, 01:37
Look at the link I posted... not an Allison, but a RR.
It's the same engine. RR bought out Allison.
27/09
23rd Jul 2017, 19:25
I think it will be interesting to see how this pans out.
I'd say a smart lawyer would say "M Lud, this aircraft is incapable of carrying the the alleged weight of drugs on the long over water legs of the proposed flight. The authorities must be mistaken."
Band a Lot
24th Jul 2017, 12:43
I think it will be interesting to see how this pans out.
I'd say a smart lawyer would say "M Lud, this aircraft is incapable of carrying the the alleged weight of drugs on the long over water legs of the proposed flight. The authorities must be mistaken."
That is an assumption that this aircraft was doing only one run, or that the drugs were not being transported some other way to say Hawaii then getting loaded on this plane.
gerry111
24th Jul 2017, 14:42
That is an assumption that this aircraft was doing only one run, or that the drugs were not being transported some other way to say Hawaii then getting loaded on this plane.
Ya kno sumping, Band? :E
MagnumPI
27th Jul 2017, 08:11
The plot thickens!!
560 pounds of methamphetamine, Santa Rosa plane tied to alleged Australian drug scheme | The Press Democrat (http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/7237004-181/560-pounds-of-methamphetamine-santa?artslide=0)
Flying Binghi
27th Jul 2017, 09:09
560 pounds of methamphetamine, Santa Rosa plane tied to alleged Australian drug scheme | The Press Democrat (http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/7237004-181/560-pounds-of-methamphetamine-santa?artslide=0)
A "Portly" Australian pilot...:)
They has probably got the Underbelly plot half written for these villains...
.
piperboy84
27th Jul 2017, 12:52
I worked in the California state prison system (CDCR) for 5 years in each of the 33 adult "facilities", if they are convicted on state charges and get porridge I can assure you they will soon discover what sheer hell, relentless terror and abject misery is 24/7.
gerry111
27th Jul 2017, 15:16
The plot thickens!!
560 pounds of methamphetamine, Santa Rosa plane tied to alleged Australian drug scheme | The Press Democrat (http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/7237004-181/560-pounds-of-methamphetamine-santa?artslide=0)
Hugh Gorman (or is he Walter Mitty?) should thank authorities for capturing him and saving his otherwise doomed life.