Our Pawnee Involved in Hit And Run

I_Money

I_Money

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MILTON - The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office has a case of plane vandalism at the Saratoga County Airport.

They say someone drove through a fence and rammed right into a small plane, nearly destroying it. They say evidence collected at the scene tells them the car that made it onto the runway may be a light colored Jeep with front end damage and a broken windshield.

"It's the best time of the year for flying," said plane owner Tim Hanke. "It's a shame. It really is."

Hanke got the call around 8:30 Sunday morning from airport staff that his plane was trashed. Investigators found skid marks from the tires of car that smashed through a fence and the 3,000 pound plane. New York State Police are also investigating.

Hanke has owned the plane since 2001. He uses it to teach people to fly and to enjoy weekend activities as part of the Adirondack Soaring club. They pull gliders up in the air for recreational purposes. He's not sure what he plans to do for the summer, the busiest part of the season.

"This is a $50,000 airplane to replace," Hanke said. "The biggest thing is that being able to find one quickly to get me back up and running with the towing."

The focus for authorities is to find out who did the damage.

Anyone with any information is urged to call the Sheriff's Office at 885-6761. Investigator David Towne handling the case.
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As you can imagine this stinks for us - we are looking for another Pawnee or really anything to tow with. If you have a lead to one for sale, lease, leaseback, rent, etc please let me know!
 
Here is a picture.
 

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Man that sucks. I hope they catch the d-bag responsible for this. And, uhhh..... you might want to change your location.
 
Could be a disgruntled student who had his MONEY STOLEN and had no other recourse. [/sarcasm]
 
Ouch, that hurts. Right at the peak of the soaring season too. :(

I think that Turf Soaring in Phoenix might have one that they are looking at getting rid of. Maybe get in contact with them? :confused:
 
tlewis95 said:
Ouch, that hurts. Right at the peak of the soaring season too. :(

I think that Turf Soaring in Phoenix might have one that they are looking at getting rid of. Maybe get in contact with them? :confused:
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Have you gone to Turf before? What did you think?
 
Doug Taylor said:
Have you gone to Turf before? What did you think?
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Going to the way-back-machine, I remember when there was a Turf Airport, located on the south side of the Turf Paradise horserace track on Bell Road. Was a regular, albeit small, GA field. It closed in the very late 1970s. Was neat landing on it over 7th St and Bell when I used to ride along with dad.
 
I actually went to the races out at Turf Paradise once or twice when Kristie and I first moved to PHX. I remember them being a fairly significant sponsor to the KFYI lineup during the golden days of local valley radio.
 
Doug Taylor said:
I actually went to the races out at Turf Paradise once or twice when Kristie and I first moved to PHX. I remember them being a fairly significant sponsor to the KFYI lineup during the golden days of local valley radio.
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Their ads used to play on KFYI, especially during (as you mention) the heyday of Tom Leykis, Jack Cole, Victoria Jones, and Bob Mohan.

Btw....what are you doing awake? I'm at least on duty at this hour...
 
MikeD said:
Their ads used to play on KFYI, especially during (as you mention) the heyday of Tom Leykis, Jack Cole, Victoria Jones, and Bob Mohan.

Btw....what are you doing awake? I'm at least on duty at this hour...
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Oh, the other moderator went to bed early so I can espouse my toilet humor online to the masses! :) :sarcasm:

Remember Mike, "flashlight"! :) They're like Chinese lanterns!
 
Doug Taylor said:
Have you gone to Turf before? What did you think?
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I haven't actually been there before, but the owner of the soaring operation in Beloit, WI (that I am at) recently bought Turf and spends half of his time down there, and the other half up here and is constantly moving his fleet back and forth between the two operations.

I will be going there soon though. Great soaring conditions, and employee's get free tows at either location!
 
Well the guy who did it killed himself today - not sure the whole story but I hope he didn't do it because of the accident.
 
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