Just before midnight on Thursday, Dec. 31, suspects were able to gain entry into the Cottonwood Airport by disabling and forcing the main gate open. The gate is located at 1001 West Mingus Avenue in Cottonwood.
The suspects entered the Cottonwood Airport and stole a box trailer which contained an airplane, an experimental fixed-wing, single-engine, two-seat Garramone Mike A Vixen Kitfox Series 5, built in 1995 and currently registered to a Cottonwood owner, George Sommer.
The aircraft’s tail number is N153PR, serial number ECV005.
These subjects also stole airplane parts while inside. The total loss is estimated between $70,000 – $80,000.
If you have any information regarding these crimes, please contact Cottonwood Police Department at (928) 649-1397. You can also contact Yavapai Silent Witness who is offering an award up to $450 for information leading to an arrest. Yavapai Silent Witness can be contacted at 1-800-932-3232 or www.yavapaisw.com.
The aircraft was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Columbus, N.M., on July 17, 2014. About one mile from the airport, the engine began to run rough for a few seconds and then smoothed out. After a few more seconds, the engine began to run rough again before it lost power completely. Due to the low altitude at the time of the loss of power, the pilot was unable to troubleshoot the problem and executed a forced landing into a pasture. The ground was “extremely rough” and the nose landing gear collapsed during the landing rollout. The airplane subsequently nosed over.
The pilot reported no injuries; the passenger was seriously injured.
The aircraft was subsequently repaired and sold to its Cottonwood owner in February 2016.
