Drug smuggling jet downed in Mexico ?

[atakacs]

Apparently a Bae-125 jet (XB-RCM ) was downed by a Mexican army helicopter on July 5th:

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/914x481/narco_jet_cf98f8bcedc2d20a07772dbef161e418db410b84.png
G5 on highwayA gunnery helicopter from the armed forces opened fire this morning against a small plane, which had to make an emergency landing on the Chunhuhub-José María Morelos highway section, in the central-western region of Quintana Roo, the head of the Secretariat of Public Security (SSP) of the state, Alberto Capella Ibarra.

The official said on his Twitter account that “the registration of the aircraft is apparently XB-RCM and could be related to illegal activities. Federal authorities attending to the investigation.”

Initial reports indicate that around 7:30 am this Sunday an Army helicopter that was flying over the area opened fire on the aircraft.

The plane began to emit smoke and later landed on the highway and caught fire, according to unofficial reports.

Witnesses who broadcast videos on Twitter report that the aircraft landed smoothly and was set on fire by its crew, who fled the scene.

Other versions indicate that, upon landing, the crew of the ship unloaded a shipment of drugs they had on board and placed it inside a van in which they fled, which they abandoned kilometers later.

Capella asked motorists to avoid the affected stretch of highway.

[ATC Watcher]

Shooting down a civil aircraft , for whatever reason is coming back . Although this particular event may look "understandable" to some , the margin or error in those cases recently (eg Malaysian , air Ukraine) is very, very thin . Crazy times....

[atakacs]

Apparently it is unclear if it was actually shot down or if the smugglers put it on fire after that interesting landing...

[JanetFlight]

Second jet on a row in last than a week in Mexico due to Illegal runs...3 days ago a Gulf II at Mapastepec:

https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20200702-0

And third since May as long as we know...

[Less Hair]

Could a helicopter intercept a jet in flight? More likely attacked on the ground or similar?

[thetimesreader84]

Vaguely remember hearing / reading about a Harrier in Belize that “downed” a drug smuggling aircraft by flying close to it as it took off - the distraction & turbulence from the jet efflux caused the pilot to lose control and end up in the trees at the end of the runway. Maybe something similar?

[Joe_K]

There's social media footage showing a seemingly intact jet stood in the middle of the road, with the cabin on fire. Leads me to think the aircraft made a controlled landing, prior to catching fire.

[ETOPS]

If you look at the last 8 or so entries on this list it seems the good old "125" is the smugglers choice.

https://aviation-safety.net/database/types/BAe-125-600-700/losses

Makes you wonder why the feds don't simply buy all the used ones to cut that line?

[ehwatezedoing]

They will just use another type.

[Pistonprop]

Most likely set on fire by the bad guys, as is usually the case!

[nicolai]

I'm sure the BAe-125 is being used because it is cheaper, easily available, and works well in this role. If it is not available, another type would be used.

BBC has footage from someone who walked around with a camera:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-latin-america-53306151/suspected-drug-plane-bursts-into-flames-in-mexico-after-highway-landing

Most of the cockpit section seems to be entirely missing - would it be expected to burn up this quickly leaving so little behind?

[DirtyProp]

JanetFlight

There might be a market for old biz jets after all....:E

[flash8]

What is it with drug runners in South America and 125's?
I knew the type before even reading the text!

[nicolai]

It sold many in North America (from where it can go to South America quite easily). It's one of the oldest bizjets, therefore now the cheapest. Plenty of older ones were displaced from North America due to Stage 3 noise regulations, making them attractive to unregulated import-export entrepreneurs seeking medium-range air transport for high-value cargo.

There may also be an established set of A&P mechanics, type-familiar (I hesitate to say "type rated") pilots, etc. Fleet commonality is an issue for all operators.

[infrequentflyer789]

Could a helicopter intercept a jet in flight? More likely attacked on the ground or similar?

A helicopter can definitely carry and launch things that are very capable of intercepting a jet.

[lomapaseo]

Kind of hard to get a survivable cabin fire from hostile fire without the wings or engines involved,

[DaveReidUK]

Plenty of older ones were displaced from North America due to Stage 3 noise regulations, making them attractive to unregulated import-export entrepreneurs seeking medium-range air transport for high-value cargo.

Though this particular example had only been cancelled from the FAA register a couple of months ago (albeit operating out of Toluca for several years).

[cappt]

Other versions indicate that, upon landing, the crew of the ship unloaded a shipment of drugs they had on board and placed it inside a van in which they fled, which they abandoned kilometers later.

The most likely scenario.
The helo was probably dispatched to investigate the inbound aircraft which presumably would have no flight plan.

[Aso]

If you look at the last 8 or so entries on this list it seems the good old "125" is the smugglers choice.

Build like a tank and readily available... Cant blame them :)

[nicolai]

Though this particular example had only been cancelled from the FAA register a couple of months ago (albeit operating out of Toluca for several years).

Possibly for several years since the FAA prohibited overflight of most of the USA if not stage 3 compliant? The aircraft doesn't have to be stage-3 noise compliant to be registered, only to fly in the USA (unless exempted etcetcetc). Then sent on a final mission to bring nose powder to the norteamericanos?

[172driver]

On a more general note, this article makes for interesting reading:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/07/05/guatemala-cocaine-trafficking-laguna-del-tigre/?arc404=true

PS: you may have to register to read it.

[toratoratora]

Build like a tank and readily available... Cant blame them :)

Also quite capable of operating from rough strips, and even grass ( no pun intended! )

[nonsense]

On a more general note, this article makes for interesting reading:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/07/05/guatemala-cocaine-trafficking-laguna-del-tigre/?arc404=true

PS: you may have to register to read it.

Clear any WaPo cookies. You then get two articles for free.
If you block cookies, it won't work, unless you first view one but only one article. then you're good to read indefinitely.

[keesje]

I'm amazed by the scale of these smugler jet operations going on in this area.

Seen overviews, the frequencies of incident / accidents of this events :eek:.

Who are these pilots ? Apparently there is no short supply of business jets, Gulfstreams, 125's, Citations or restrictions buying them..

https://youtu.be/w5zuUt9Xdmc

https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/drug-traffickers-buying-up-planes-in-south-florida-new-times-investigation-finds-10249767

[DaveReidUK]

As the old saying goes, just follow the money.

[Diverskii]

Raymond Boulanger did an excellent two hour long interview with Mikey McBrian of (Buffalo Airways fame) on Mikey's youtube channel recently.

He talks about all of his flying, starting with the CIA/Air America type stuff and moving swiftly in to the flying of valuable cargos in south america. Absolutely fascinating stuff!

His flying was back in the 80s/90s but it looks like things haven't changed much - get your hands on a load of cheap jets and ditch them where you land. Doesn't matter as long as you get the cargo out and on to the waiting trucks.

[JanetFlight]

Wow....Diverskii...tanx for saving my boring night alone at home...amazing!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpjLA64T_eo

[cappt]

Yes that was a great interview but you have to really listen up and pay attention because he such a non-nonchalant soft speaker you might miss something. One story he flew a Convair from Bogota to Nova Scotia full of coke (12K over weight) by flying right up the middle of the Atlantic only to be met by a pair of F18's who subsequently run low on fuel and have to RTB, he flies on.
I'm kinda torn about it all, very interesting flying stuff but I'm sure it left a trail of human destruction along the way.

[lomapaseo]

I'm amazed by the scale of these smugler jet operations going on in this area.

Seen overviews, the frequencies of incident / accidents of this events :eek:.

Who are these pilots ? Apparently there is no short supply of business jets, Gulfstreams, 125's, Citations or restrictions buying them..

https://youtu.be/w5zuUt9Xdmc

https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/drug-traffickers-buying-up-planes-in-south-florida-new-times-investigation-finds-10249767

was that buzzing noise at the end a police plane chasing after it?

[oceancrosser]

Chopper. Can be seen momentarily towards the end.

[Flying Clog]

Probably the 'boss' monitoring the take off.

[lomapaseo]

or ATC if they have a lot of shipments

[keesje]

It was local militairy UH-1. A local airforce pilot is flying out the abandoned aircraft to civilized place.

Getting the origiins / history of this Bae-125 jet should be pretty easy,

Of course the XB-RCM registration is fake, but serial numbers everywhere.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1279877912267759629

Someone bought it into it's illegal status in the US. Where did it depart from? there must be a flight plan etc.

Also it's whereabouts before they pulled the transponder..

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x400/1594493768_6ebff64f71030da115c7e9af15ad3071b1b9eaef.jpeg
Intriguing un dated photo.. already with the fake registration. :mad:


Just did quick research you can buy a flyable (dependent on requirements) 40 yr old 125 for $400k
https://www.avbuyer.com/aircraft/private-jets/hawker-beechcraft/700a/357343
If you are shipping 10 mln worth of powder etc. & pay a crew $100k..

[DaveReidUK]

Of course the XB-RCM registration is fake, but serial numbers everywhere.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1279877912267759629

Someone bought it into it's illegal status in the US.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/560x383/n943ce_cb011d268557935379f80fe85b95fd83a621602a.jpg

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/8674939

[EDLB]

I find it hard to believe that the Mexican Gov. forced a jet to land with a helicopter. Shoot it down with an air to air missile is possible, but the jet shows no signs of a missile attack. So most likely they had a dual engine failure and had to make a forced landing. That ground transportation for the crew and load was available on short notice adds to that. The Mexican Airforce has currently no assets with jet speed.

[keesje]

You seem to be right :uhoh: . No a single interceptor / sidewinder to be found. A few aging F5 have been retired / grounded.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Air_Force#Current_inventory

A huge country with 120 mln people & (official) $1200B GPD.

If you have money, buy a 40 yr old BAE125 /G II in the US & nobody can catch you.

And it's happening on a big scale.

Obviously I don't understand / know. Is it blocked / frustrated by interest groups?

A democratic state like Mexico should be sovereign in their air space.

Get them some F16 / M2000 / Mig29s and radar stations..

I know, far too simple / complicated.

[aerolearner]

Raymond Boulanger did an excellent two hour long interview with Mikey McBrian of (Buffalo Airways fame) on Mikey's youtube channel recently.
Great video, thanks! :ok:
I enjoyed every minute of it.

[fisher22]

Sadly, this is business as usual in Mexico.

Read a couple of news articles about the incident and apparently the plane took off from Venezuela with no flight plan and transponder turned off and was picked up by Mexican radar before crossing the border, two Mexican Air Force E-145 AWACS were scrambled as well as a T-6 Texan which ultimately ended up intercepting the plane and tried making radio contact with them to no avail. Also says visual signs were used by the MAF pilot but ignored by the HS125 crew, which ended up landing on a highway where they had a truck waiting for them, set the plane on fire and fled. Also they mention a helicopter was deployed but only after the plane had already landed. Crew apparently ditched the truck and ran into the jungle before authorities arrived.

Here's one of the source articles in Spanish:

https://www.milenio.com/politica/asi-fue-la-caceria-de-la-avioneta-con-droga-que-se-estrello-en-qroo

[Ray_Y]

I don't get it:
They were shot and had to go down somewhere on a highway - and then a truck was ready to take the "cargo"? Too much of a coincidence.

[EEngr]

What I found interesting is that they had a van and personnel on the ground available on short notice to pick up the merchandise. That says something about the cartel's size and organization.

[nicolai]

I bet many people wish their operation's AOG response was that quick when they have to divert to an alternate destination en route.

[fisher22]

Yeah, that's nothing. For every plane you hear that is forced to land or ends up crashing there's probably hundreds that make it without anyone noticing. And they don't even need to land on clandestine airfields, most operate in plain sight in regular airports in Mexico. Obviously all of this couldn't be done without the government's "assistance"...Pretty big rabbit hole to dive into if you want to delve deeper into this subject.

[megan]

And they don't even need to land on clandestine airfieldsIn WPB for sim training and someone left a C402 parked on the freeway following a night landing in the wee hours.

[keesje]

fisher22

I would think the Mexican authorities would need something else than E145's and T6 to warn the hell out of smugler jets.

Apparently they can fly to destination detected, still land, unload and leave the scene before a helicopter team arrives.

No praticle follow-me enforcement anymore.