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Stolen Cessna Smashed up in Fresno

What: Cessna 172N Skyhawk en route from Buchannan Field Airport
Where: Fresno California
When: Feb 5 2012
Who: 1 fatality
Why: Apparently Ray Pirro who was not a pilot snuck into Buchanan Field and stole the Cessna Skyhawk that took his life. Pirro had no pilots license, was covered in tattoos, was recently released from prison, and apparently just took the plane to take a joy ride. He flew into power lines and smashed up by Barstow Avenue. Owner Felix J Boston is a retired lieutenant colonel. He had left the plane in Buchanan Field Airport and was surprised to find someone had taken it. He called the plane “his baby” and regrets its loss.

The thief had covered the plane’s registration numbers and stopped off at a Stockton Walmart for junk food. (The crash site was strewn with Cheese whiz.) There was still gas in the plane, so it did not run out of gas, but striking the power lines may have been Pirro’s downfall.


IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 7582D Make/Model: C172 Description: 172, P172, R172, Skyhawk, Hawk XP, Cutla
Date: 02/06/2012 Time: 0006
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Substantial
LOCATION
City: FRESNO State: CA Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT STRUCK POWERLINES AND CRASHED INTO A FIELD, THE 1 PERSON ON BOARD
WAS FATALLY INJURED, 12 MILES FROM FRESNO, CA
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 1
# Crew: 1 Fat: 1 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase: Unknown Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: FRESNO, CA (WP17) Entry date: 02/06/2012

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