California Thief Repeatedly Steals, Improves Elderly Man’s Plane

For 75-year-old Jason Hong, owning a Cessna Skyhawk has become a surreal nightmare. His aircraft has been stolen five times since May 2025 by an unidentified pilot who returns it meticulously cleaned—often with bizarre “upgrades” like new batteries or premium headsets left in the cockpit. Each theft follows the same pattern: The phantom aviator vanishes with the plane from San Gabriel Valley Airport, flies it across California for days, then abandons it at another airfield undetected.

How Do Phantom Pilots Evade Aviation Security?

The thief exploits critical gaps in small-airport security. Unlike commercial jets, private planes lack tracking transponders when powered off, and rural airports rarely monitor runways 24/7. Sergeant David Kim of the El Monte Police Department confirms: “Plane thefts are exceptionally rare—we have no protocol for this. Without surveillance footage or eyewitnesses, we’re chasing ghosts.”

Hong first discovered his missing plane on his birthday. Police later found it parked at Chino Airport (June 15, 2025), smelling of cigarettes but otherwise unharmed. Forensic teams found no fingerprints, only a $300 headset the thief left behind—a taunting signature repeated in subsequent thefts.

Aviation expert Dr. Rebecca Torres (MIT Aeronautics, 2023 study) notes: “Small aircraft are vulnerable. Thieves bypass ignition locks using handheld starters, and FAA registration isn’t verified mid-flight. This case exposes systemic flaws in general aviation security.”

Why Can’t Authorities Stop the Skyhawk Bandit?

The thief’s precision suggests pilot training. Witnesses describe a “petite woman” pre-flighting Hong’s plane for hours—meticulously checking systems like a professional. Yet no airport cameras captured her face.

Hong installed wheel locks and removed the battery after the third theft. The phantom pilot brought her own battery, reinstalled it, and flew off again (July 22 incident). “It’s like someone smashes your window, then installs a better one,” Hong told the Los Angeles Times.

Authorities face jurisdictional chaos. The Cessna was traced to landings in Santa Barbara, Mojave, and Long Beach—crossing three police jurisdictions. With no stolen property kept, felony charges are unlikely.

Current Status: Hong now chains the plane’s propeller to a concrete anchor. The FAA has issued a statewide alert for tail number N62857.

This unprecedented aviation heist—where a phantom flyer treats a $120,000 Cessna like a rental car—reveals alarming gaps in aircraft security. If you witnessed suspicious activity at San Gabriel Valley Airport between May-August 2025, contact El Monte PD’s tipline. Vigilance remains the only defense against sky-high audacity.

Must Know

Q: How common is small aircraft theft in California?
A: Extremely rare. FAA data shows only 3 verified plane thefts statewide in 2024—none involved repeated thefts or voluntary returns. Most stolen aircraft are dismantled for parts.

Q: What motivates someone to steal and return a plane?
A: Experts speculate thrill-seeking or testing aviation security. Dr. Torres suggests: “This resembles ‘borrowing’ behavior—gaining status in underground pilot circles without causing permanent damage.”

Q: Can you legally fly a stolen plane undetected?
A: Yes. Unlike cars, planes lack real-time tracking. Pilots file flight plans voluntarily, and tower communications aren’t recorded unless emergencies occur.

Q: What security measures do small-plane owners recommend?
A: Aviation insurers (e.g., AOPA Insurance) advise propeller locks, GPS trackers like Spidertracks, and hangar storage. Removing ignition keys alone is insufficient.

Q: Has anything similar happened before?
A: In 2019, a flight student stole a Cessna in Seattle and crashed it. However, Hong’s case is unique due to the thief’s repeated, non-destructive returns.

Q: Could this impact aviation insurance policies?
A: Possibly. Global Aerospace notes joyride thefts may prompt stricter storage requirements or higher premiums for ramp-parked aircraft.