Adam Leon- stole c172 in Thunder Bay in 2009

SFDukie

Pre-takeoff checklist
PoA Supporter
Joined
Mar 4, 2007
Messages
264
Display Name

Display name:
Don
Many of us doubtless remember this saga- 31 yr old Canadian, Turkish emigrant, Adam Leon, taking primary pilot training in Thunder Bay, steals flight training airplane and flies 700nm, in apparent hope to commit “suicide by f16”
https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.783138

I was wondering what happened subsequently and did some searching.

subsequently sentenced to 2 years imprisonment
https://www.thestar.com/amp/news/canada/2009/11/04/canadian_jailed_2_years_for_stealing_plane.html


He was released from federal prison in December, 2010. Returned to Canada 3/2011, where he faced Canadian charges for the airplane theft.

He pled guilty to those charges, sentencing was postponed, the judge ruled that his two years in fed prison and 2 years on bail awaiting sentencing in Canada met “principle deterrent requirements”
https://www.tbnewswatch.com/amp/local-news/absolute-discharge-394204

I find a work history started in March, 2011, in Ontario, which I think is him.

looks as if he’s a gainfully employed construction project manager with a long work history.

I can’t read registration number of plane. Anyone know if it’s still flying?
 
Two years? Otoh I can’t imagine losing both parents in an automobile accident.

is the Canadian (faa) medical system similar to ours? I’d guess it’d be nearly impossible to get a medical here from the FAA with the history listed in the articles (if true)
 
didn't appear to wreck the plane, going to give him a few points for that!

hey, how do you get 700nm out of a 172 anyway??
 
700 miles ? Start with full long-range tanks, fly at reduced power (50% ?) and lean agressively. Couldn't have been going very fast, and must have been on fumes by the time he landed.
 
Many of us doubtless remember this saga- 31 yr old Canadian, Turkish emigrant, Adam Leon, taking primary pilot training in Thunder Bay, steals flight training airplane and flies 700nm, in apparent hope to commit “suicide by f16”
https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.783138

I was wondering what happened subsequently and did some searching.

subsequently sentenced to 2 years imprisonment
https://www.thestar.com/amp/news/canada/2009/11/04/canadian_jailed_2_years_for_stealing_plane.html


He was released from federal prison in December, 2010. Returned to Canada 3/2011, where he faced Canadian charges for the airplane theft.

He pled guilty to those charges, sentencing was postponed, the judge ruled that his two years in fed prison and 2 years on bail awaiting sentencing in Canada met “principle deterrent requirements”
https://www.tbnewswatch.com/amp/local-news/absolute-discharge-394204

I find a work history started in March, 2011, in Ontario, which I think is him.

looks as if he’s a gainfully employed construction project manager with a long work history.

I can’t read registration number of plane. Anyone know if it’s still flying?
Never heard of him. But I'm shocked, shocked, that NORAD didn't shoot him down. I've been told that they'd totally do it. :rolleyes:
 
700 miles ? Start with full long-range tanks, fly at reduced power (50% ?) and lean agressively. Couldn't have been going very fast, and must have been on fumes by the time he landed.

Probably ran out of fumes, and that is why he landed.
 
Many of us doubtless remember this saga- 31 yr old Canadian, Turkish emigrant, Adam Leon, taking primary pilot training in Thunder Bay, steals flight training airplane and flies 700nm, in apparent hope to commit “suicide by f16”
https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.783138

I was wondering what happened subsequently and did some searching.

subsequently sentenced to 2 years imprisonment
https://www.thestar.com/amp/news/canada/2009/11/04/canadian_jailed_2_years_for_stealing_plane.html


He was released from federal prison in December, 2010. Returned to Canada 3/2011, where he faced Canadian charges for the airplane theft.

He pled guilty to those charges, sentencing was postponed, the judge ruled that his two years in fed prison and 2 years on bail awaiting sentencing in Canada met “principle deterrent requirements”
https://www.tbnewswatch.com/amp/local-news/absolute-discharge-394204

I find a work history started in March, 2011, in Ontario, which I think is him.

looks as if he’s a gainfully employed construction project manager with a long work history.

I can’t read registration number of plane. Anyone know if it’s still flying?
The plane was C-GFJH and it's still flying for Confederation College in Thunder Bay
 
The plane was C-GFJH and it's still flying for Confederation College in Thunder Bay
Thanks for the update!
Good story. Must be fun for the students to know that, as they fly it.
 
Back
Top