Insurance Company Offers Reward

Investigators in Baja California Sur say they've sent an advisory to airports and landing strips across Mexico as they search for a small plane stolen at gunpoint from a US tourist preparing to take off from Mulege.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports the six-seat Cessna 206 Stationair (similar to type shown above) was taken about 8am Monday at an airstrip outside the Serenidad Hotel. The owner is a 55-year-old businessman from Boise, ID who told friends a car pulled up in front of his plane as he prepared for takeoff.

According to the government alert, six assailants broke a window and forced the pilot, his wife, two daughters ages 6 and 8, and a family friend off the plane. The now-ironically-named Serenidad Hotel has been a favorite destination for US pilots.

The Aviation Crime Prevention Institute notes increased aircraft seizures by Mexican authorities of planes used to smuggle drugs recently, and has warned fliers in the region the bad guys will be looking for replacement aircraft.

The Stationair was insured by AIG Aviation, which is offering a $5,000 reward for its return.

FMI: www.aig.com