Thefts of Aviation Fuel From Tied Down Aircraft.

A pilot at SZP-Santa Paula Airport, California spoke with me on 16 June about a rash of aviation fuel syphoning thefts at the airport. He lost 120 gallons of 100LL total in multiple thefts. At least two other aircraft, one nearby, one across the field are known victims of the same Modus Operandi. More may be discovered by absent owners in time. The victimized pilot spent $40 on two locking gas caps, which must be removed on his aircraft in preflight and original pressurized caps replaced before engine start.

Tampering with an aircraft is a Federal Offense. The Santa Paula Police Department has been notified. They are stepping up their night airport patrols.

Mike,

Hardly applicable here. The single SZP fixed Fuel Facility is self-service only by taxi-up pilots. And only daylight hours of airport operation, no runway lighting. The Flight School has a small mobile electric tanker to refuel the Flight School aircraft by employees only at their line, and the little tank is metered, both in and out of the tank. Someone is coming in at night and siphoning fuel from tied down aircraft. All road gates closed at night. Santa Paula Police Department has access ability. It would take an AWD or 4x4 to get in-I would not want to explain further as it would just feed evil minds to copycat the thefts.