[conservative in nyc]

Here's the plane's registration info:

AFZAL HAMEED
Co-Owned
30 OLD RUDNICK LN
DOVER, DE 19901 US
(Kent County)
1985
17276369
N98873
LYCOMING/0-320 SERIES
180 HorsePower

Fixed Wing Single Engine Info Manufacturer CESSNA
Model 172P
Code 2072436
Number of Seats 4
Number of Engines 1
Number FAA Registered 1,621

Does the 4 seats include the pilot seat, or was the plane a wee bit cramped? And was Afzal flying?

[ElephantinTexas]

The live report here in San Antonio reported that Afzel (or some other VERY arabic sounding name) was not only the pilot but had been wanted by Homeland Security but I didn't want to try and quote his name and get it wrong from hearing it on the tv.

[Khurkris]

4+1 in a Cess 172P is a wee bit cramped. Thats one more body than the plane is rated for.

The Cessna 172P SkyHawk II, was one of the last variant produced before Cessna suspended its engine production line in 1985. The 172P is equipped with a 160HP Lycomine O-320 carbureted engine unlike its successor the C172R. Although an older aircraft the 172P can, in most respects, match the performance of the C172R. The 172P also boasts a slightly higher useful load capacity than the C172R.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Good work finding the info on the plane.

[Grampa Dave]

Excellent find.

"Here's the plane's registration info":

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

This may just tie in the possibility that these Chinese are Islamofacists with connections to al Qaeda and other Islamonazis.