Drug smuggling jet downed in Mexico ?
Thread Starter
Drug smuggling jet downed in Mexico ?
Apparently a Bae-125 jet (XB-RCM ) was downed by a Mexican army helicopter on July 5th:
G5 on highway
.
G5 on highway
A 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
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
Pegase Driver
Join Date: May 1997
Location: Europe
Age: 73
Posts: 3,668
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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....
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...?id=20200702-0
And third since May as long as we know...
https://aviation-safety.net/database...?id=20200702-0
And third since May as long as we know...
Could a helicopter intercept a jet in flight? More likely attacked on the ground or similar?
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?
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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...600-700/losses
Makes you wonder why the feds don't simply buy all the used ones to cut that line?
https://aviation-safety.net/database...600-700/losses
Makes you wonder why the feds don't simply buy all the used ones to cut that line?
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: It used to be an island...
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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-...ighway-landing
Most of the cockpit section seems to be entirely missing - would it be expected to burn up this quickly leaving so little behind?
BBC has footage from someone who walked around with a camera:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-...ighway-landing
Most of the cockpit section seems to be entirely missing - would it be expected to burn up this quickly leaving so little behind?
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: It used to be an island...
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: uk
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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).
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NV USA
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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 helo was probably dispatched to investigate the inbound aircraft which presumably would have no flight plan.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: It used to be an island...
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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?
