Two 14 year old boys steal plane and then crash

More great press for GA airport security.

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Two 14-year-old boys from Big Bear are doing OK tonight. Police say they
suffered minor injuries after stealing an airplane from the Big Bear Airport
and crash-landing it in Joshua Tree National Park last night.

The boys' apparent joy-ride ended in the park about 10 miles north of the
Cottonwood station.

It all started here at the Big Bear Airport. A bit later, it ended in the
middle of the desert. Police say two 14-year-olds, stole the keys to one
boy's father's airplane and stole it from its hangar.

Police believe the two learned how to operate the Mooney M-20 by watching
the father fly it and apparently, they didn't learn very well.

"Another witness noticed the airplane depart in fairly erratic manner and
raised a question in my mind. This witness thought that was unusual. He came
over and reported this to police."

According to police, the boys' plans were to runaway and take themselves to
Mexico in the plane. But the plans took a wrong turn when the plane ran out
of gas. And they boys had to crash it right here in Joshua Tree in the
morning.

Two park workers found the boys on the side of the road. They say they were
surprised the two weren't seriously hurt.

These boys are really lucky. They could have caused extensive damage to the
plane and terrible injuries to themselves. While the plane did not suffer
significant damage - the crash did bang up its propeller and landing gear.
The two teens were taken to jail. It's not known yet if they'll be charged
with anything.

Many people are wondering tonight, how did this happen? How did two 14-year
old boys get access to the airplane?

We talked to one local expert who runs a flight school at Palm Springs
International Airport. He says there's no way the same thing could have
happened in Palm Springs. He also says that young pilots are not uncommon.

In California, you can get a license at 17-years-old. These teens were three
years younger than that and he says that's irresponsible and dangerous.

"People that come into aviation, if they are not responsible, they learn to
be responsible otherwise they'll never go thru the training and go thru the
FAA check right?"

Dutzi says the two boys are lucky to be alive after making the emergency
landing.