Emergency Hatch Among The Items Pilfered From The Villeneuve Airport Display

A Boeing 737 owned by the Alberta (Canada) Aviation Museum and on display at Villeneuve Airport was the target of thieves over the weekend. An emergency hatch and other parts were stolen from the airplane, according to museum executive director Thomas Hinderks.

Hinderks said that the theft was made to look like vandals had gotten on board the airplane, but the Edmonton Journal reports that an investigation showed that the thieves had gotten on board in a very precise way and had worn latex gloves during the theft. The specific items removed, which included structural, support, and electrical components, suggested that the thieves were also very knowledgeable about airplanes, police said.

The items that were removed could be repurposed for an operational aircraft, investigators said.

The emergency hatch that was stolen would cost $10,000 to $20,000 to replace, Hinderks said.

The airplane last flew in November, 2013 ... a minutes-long flight from Edmonton City Centre Airport to Villeneuve.

(Image from the Alberta Museum website)

FMI: www.albertaaviationmuseum.com