Homeland Security Agents Force Plane to Land in San Antonio

WOAI ^ | 1/24/2005 | ElephantinTexas

[ElephantinTexas]

This is my first post so I hope I got it right.

This is breaking here in San Anonio. A single engine plane has been forced down at Stenson Field south of San Antonio. Homeland Security, DPS and SAPD are on the scene. They are waiting for a Chinese tranlator but they have Chinese illegals in custody and said that the pilot was someone Homeland Security has been looking for.

I'll post more as it comes available.

[B4Ranch]

Looks fine for starting a sleeper cell, IMO.

[ravingnutter]

He said that he has been renting this plane out to a certified FAA pilot (no name given) several times over the past few months and would start "doing better back ground checks of the people he rents his planes to".

Doesn't explain the fact that the plane he "rented" was not registered at present. Given that little factoid, I'd say he's full of BS.

[jimbo123]

Methinks someone is keeping a close eye on Hameed Afzal and Alpha Tango Flying Services.

[evets]

Grounded

[ElephantinTexas]

Quote: So we didn't catch them as they crossed the border?

That's what the local reporter here said but they all still claim that the plane was flying illegally over US airspace. They said that this unknown pilot was a Mexican National so he had to be coming from somewhere when he landed in Eagle Pass.

[Grampa Dave]

The plane appears to be illegal and not registered.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

They could be illegal from the plane's registration.....just trying to get down to the nitty gritty... i.e. whether they flew across the border or walked across to then catch a plane.....

[ravingnutter]

Fat Alberts come to life — thanks to laser cutting and chemical bonding processes — on the spacious production floors there or at ILC Dover, in Dover, Del.

Wow...strange considering the plane's registration:

AFZAL HAMEED
Co-Owned
30 OLD RUDNICK LN
DOVER, DE 19901 US

[bayourod]

"We have plenty of missles that will reach 40,000 feet."

Fine with me, but the it won't mollify the Buchanan/Tancredo crowd because, despite what they say about stopping terrorists, their only objective is to stop Mexican laborers. And Mexican laborers walk or swim across the border.

[hattend]

It's registered but doesn't appear to be annual current:

N98873 is Assigned

Assigned/Registered Aircraft

Aircraft Description

Serial Number 17276369
Type Registration Co-Owner
Manufacturer Name CESSNA
Certificate Issue Date 02/19/1999
Model 172P
Status Undeliverable Triennial
Type Aircraft Fixed Wing Single-Engine
Type Engine Reciprocating
Pending Number Change None
Dealer No
Date Change Authorized None
Mode S Code 53346105
MFR Year 1985
Fractional Owner NO

---

Registered Owner

Name AFZAL HAMEED
Street 30 OLD RUDNICK LN
City DOVER
State DELAWARE
Zip Code 19901-4912
County KENT
Country UNITED STATES

[hattend]

Wow, good catch!....hmmm

[JustAnotherSavage]

"smuggling the Chinese illegals in for around $100,000 a pop "


Whew. Someone with a lot of bucks wants these people in here pretty badly.

[ElephantinTexas]

Well that's what I'm trying to find out also. I wonder if any of the wise FReepers know how to check flight plans now that we know it left out of Eagle Pass, Tx.?

[Grampa Dave]

Great info, hattend!

[OldSgt.]

Hellfire would be pricey, Quad 50's or or the 30mm chain gun on the nose of an Apache would be more cost effective. And I too vote for this application. Protecting the country from invasion Bump

[ravingnutter]

That address in DE is an office building, there are many companies with that address according to a Google search. There are two aircraft leasing companies listed at that address. There are two other planes registered at that address as well.

[hattend]

Only reason I knew about the aerostats is I used to provide weather forecasts to the Southwest Air Defense Sector at March AFB, CA when I was active duty.

BTTT

[Grampa Dave]

You and the other freepers are doing the great investigative job on this.

I'm sure that the right agencies and people are monitoring this thread incase something pops up that they don't know.

Thanks for the find and ping!

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for sharing with.

This thread is why I seldom bother to go to even Fox News for news. When the vast experience of Freepers and our bloodhound dna takes over, a simple news item like this becomes serious stuff with all types of data.

[ravingnutter]

On August 21, 2000, approximately 1600 central daylight time, a Cessna 172P airplane, N98873, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing on Runway 14 at the Stinson Municipal Airport, San Antonio, Texas. The pilot, who held a valid Mexican private pilot certificate, and his pilot-rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the San Antonio International Airport at 1515.

NTSB

Mexican pilot...maybe same one? No name listed however.