Police in Vancouver, B.C., are looking for a man who managed to get a commercial floatplane started before ramming two others at a seaplane terminal at the city’s harbor early Friday morning and causing major damage. Police were called to the dock about 3:30 a.m. to investigate reports that a man had tried to steal a Seair DeHavilland Beaver moored at the terminal in the city’s downtown harbor. The Beaver’s prop sliced holes in the fuselage and wing of a Harbour Air turbine DeHavilland Otter and also damaged another Harbour Air plane. The Seair Beaver lost a wing and had prop damage. The would-be pilot reportedly fled on foot.
Quote: “The stolen plane has a radial engine that normally requires knowledge and skill to start and operate.”
I like Youtube but, there’s a number of videos that go through every step to start most any aircraft including the Beaver. Don’t blame the videos, just the legal industry that lets these people loose in the streets. If the judges and politicians continue to reward poor behavior, disrespect for other’s personal property will continue.
It’s difficult to start, maybe if you’re a lawyer but not for a motorhead.
Seems the lad got his seamanship a bit cross, current, wind direction or a forgotten dock line, clattering into his neighbors.
One reason airpersons can’t rent a floatplane/seaplane.