# How the heck do they lose a plane?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-heck-do-they-lose-a-plane/183125>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 20, 2003, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-heck-do-they-lose-a-plane/183125 "2003-06-20T09:48:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-heck-do-they-lose-a-plane/183125/21 "2003-06-21T01:02:36Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Joey G \*  
> The master key for almost any GA piston aircraft can be a pair of wire cutters. Cut the P-leads (wires that ground the primary circuits of the magnetos, preventing them from firing), hand prop the airplane, and be on your way.
> 
> Very easy.

I used to think that, too - until I actually had to hand-prop an airplane. Sure, the _theory_ is easy…

And actually, you don’t need wire cutters, other implements can be used in a pinch.

Hand propping a 65 hp Cub with no starter to get in the way is pretty simple. Digging around inside the engine cowling of a larger airplane is a trifle more complicated. The more horsepower on the engine the harder it will be to pull the prop.

And whatever you do, PLEASE don’t fall into the Whirling Blade of Death once the engine turns over. {{{shudder}}} The word “meatslicer” comes to mind.

Naturally, that wouldn’t defeat a _determined_ fiend. However, we were talking about a Boeing 727 and I’m sorry, you just can’t _hand prop_ a jet engine.

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**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-heck-do-they-lose-a-plane/183125/22 "2003-06-21T01:31:13Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Broomstick \*  
> **Hand propping a 65 hp Cub with no starter to get in the way is pretty simple. Digging around inside the engine cowling of a larger airplane is a trifle more complicated.**

I wouldn’t dig around in the cowling in any case. The P-leads run into the cockpit, to the back of the ignition switch. I would climb in the cockpit, reach behind the ignition switch, give the P-leads a good yank and off I go.  
\*\*

> [@](#):
>
> However, we were talking about a Boeing 727 and I’m sorry, you just can’t _hand prop_ a jet engine. \*\*

No, you can’t. But since a 727 doesn’t even require keys to start it in the first place, hand propping becomes a moot point.

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**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-heck-do-they-lose-a-plane/183125/23 "2003-06-21T10:30:58Z")

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All of which lead to the conclusion you have to keep the Bad Guys out of and away from the airplane in the first place.

I wonder how often helicoptors get stolen?

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