Posted on 10/31/2025 1:45:41 PM PDT by DFG
A Native American tribe seized a Minnesota pilot's plane after he made an emergency landing on their land, citing a decades–old law the tribe claimed gave them control of the aircraft.
Darrin Smedsmo was flying over the Red Lake Indian Reservation when his single–engine Stinson airplane suddenly stopped working mid–air.
With less than three minutes until disaster, the experienced pilot was forced to land on a paved state road below.
Moments later, Smedsmo's plane was confiscated by tribal police, who claimed he did not have the authority to fly it over their reservation.
If he wants his plane back, he will have to suffer through a tribal trial – starting November 3.
'The land is theirs, but they are claiming the air is theirs,' Smedsmo told AIN. 'They don't control the air. That is basically untenable.'
The Roseau, Minnesota, native was traveling from his home city to Bemidji as his Stinson aircraft malfunctioned.
'Well, today was the day,' Smedsmo recalled on Facebook. '3500 [feet] and the engine made a little noise, [and] pretty soon no noise [at] all.'
'I don't know what happened, but the engine seized. I safely landed on the highway. Thankful,' he added.
A state worker who was also Smedsmo's neighbor came to his aid.
He helped remove the fallen plane from the road and called the tribal police for further help.
'Bad news,' a Red Lake officer said, apparently having spoken to tribal chief Darrell G. Seki, Sr. 'We're going to do what the chairman said.'
Smedsmo was told his plane had violated the tribe's 1978 law banning 'any airplane' from flying over Red Lake lands at less than 20,000 feet.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Were the natives high on peyote?
“But first do supersonic flybys at 200 feet with about 20 B-1 bombers.”
No reason to waste money, just cut off their welfare.
San Carlos Apache tribe in AZ (and maybe other tribes?) require permits to use reservation roads and lands.
If you enter without permit, they will confiscate your vehicle!
Looks like this is the same concept - enter without permit, vehicle confiscated.
Obviously, it is legal.
Quite frankly this tribal stuff needs to stop. It’s over, they are part of the United States. No more special benefits, fishing rights etc. Should have never started it.
Don’t allow them to come off reservation.
To tonto better watch out or he be in heap big trouble.
No pilot will fly across their land even to deliver casino money!!
Hey how areyou!!!!!!!
The FAA controls the air, all the air from the ground up. If you violate airspace rules of the FAA they can fine you but a native tribe can not! He violated no airspace rules. Under FAA rules in an emergency you can do any thing you need to do to effect a safe landing, anywhere.
That’s not a pressurized aircraft. Guarantee he was well below 20k
‘The land is theirs, but they are claiming the air is theirs,’ Smedsmo told AIN. ‘They don’t control the air. That is basically untenable.’
Since his plane is sitting on what he admits is “their” land, the pilot has a rather weak argument. The Chippewaw did not shoot him down, and did not require him to fly over their land, or have a plane that couldn’t sustain flight.
I’d go in one night and burn the damn plane to the ground.
Thank you for the info.. just downloaded the first 7..
Checking it out later.
Lowlife move. The Indians and Albuquerque have historically been pretty bad about that during the balloon fiesta. If a hot air balloon drifts over Indian land, they make it absolute hell for them to recover it… exorbitant fees, bureaucracy etc.
He’s still not in violation of the law. No matter what is altitude. The Indian tribe cannot override FAA air space.
The airplane looks/is a Stinson 108 Voyager. Probably the original Franklin engine.
They can buy a lot of Meth for the sale price of that airplane.
Airspace over the United States is solely under federal control.
No state or government body can exercise control of federal airspace.
Additional, an aircraft in distress is exempt from such actions of this tribe. There may be separate civil actions, if damages occur or negligence or malfeasance was involved.
I wonder what the “tribal agreement” was when the Ojibwa stole that area from the Dakota. /sarc … well maybe I’m serious lol
Grande Ronde in Oregon. Casino and logging based income (very popular and successful casino). I have been impressed driving through the town every year. Improved roads, hospitals, fire & police, housing development. I noticed the church plays a big role in their lives.
They actually donate to relevant causes outside of their tribal area.
They are an exception for sure.
I think all treaties with communities within the United States should be nullified. There should be One Constitution for One People, Americans.
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