4 October 2016
The theft of Rotax engines from aircraft and airfields around the UK shows no sign of abating. Another five engines were stolen over the last week.
Two went from Fenland Airfield, including the unfortunate Eurostar pictured above. The thieves clearly targetted the aircraft and avoided CCTV cameras at the airfield by breaking into the rear of the hangar. More engines were taken from Benwick Airfield, near Peterborough, Cambs and Audley End Airfield near Saffron Walden, Essex.
The epidemic of Rotax engine thefts has now reached more than 20 this year alone. They include:
12 March, Riby, NE Lincolnshire. A SkyRanger had its Rotax 912UL engine stolen, serial number 5646471. In addition, the complete exhaust system, radiator, oil cooler, Flycom headsets, toolbox and tools, socket set, wing fold kit and 10 litres of Shell oil were also stolen.
15 March, Brookfield Farm, Huntingdon, Cambs. A Flight Design CTLS had its Rotax 912ULS stolen, engine s/n 5651089. Another Flight Design CTSW also had a similar engine stolen, s/n 5649786. Both engines were taken ‘whole’ – ie, with oil tanks, air ducts, oil & coolant rads, exhaust system, ignition system and even the battery regulators.
19 March, Hunsdon Airfield, Harlow, Essex. Two Skyranger aircraft and a Flight Design CTSW had their Rotax engines stolen, along with instrument panels, radios and props.
16 August: Holmbeck Farm, Wing, Bucks. Three aircraft targetted, two gyroplanes and a Skyranger. All three had low-time engines. Two other aircraft with high-time engines were untouched. The three engines: Rotax 912 s/n 6776335, Rotax 914 Turbo s/n 7682547, Rotax 912 UL80 s/n 4400622.
The British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) and the Light Aircraft Association (LAA) are collating a central list via this online reporting form for engine theft. It is hoped this will help police track the stolen items and the thieves.
There is an active thread on the Flyer forum detailing engine thefts here.
One success in the battle against Rotax thieves: two weeks ago police in Italy arrested two men, one from the Ukraine and the other from Romania, after stopping their Mercedes truck with Polish licence plates. The police discovered six aircraft engines and propellers.
