The Airplanes Behind the Colombian Cartel

A list of all the documented airplanes that have flown for Pablo Escobar. Shows like Narcos on Netflix tell the story of Pablo Escobar, but I wanted to know the story of his airplanes.

He started smuggling with a Piper Super Cub, then moved on to the Cessna 206 and 210 (maybe the cessna 180 and 207 also). After his smuggling progressed, Escobar moved to the twin engine Piper Seneca and Navajo, followed by the Aero Commander and Beechcraft King Air. Each airplane presented is backed up with articles and photos/videos from the time of the Medellin Cartel.

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FloridaFlying SHIRTS

MUSIC USED
Baila Mi Cumbia - Jimmy Fontanez

[PARTner]

The Cessna 310 was also a popular drug hauler. We had one stolen in the early 70s, and it was later tracked down to a drug cartel south of the border. As you implied at 8:34 they really didn’t care what make or model it was, as long as it would do the job.

Maintenance wasn’t a big thing for them … if the airplane fell into disrepair, it was easier to just go steal another one than to try to make major repairs.

[TexanUSMC]

I worked at Mooney aircraft back in 89-90. I remember a special paint job on one. It was painted all black and registered in Columbia. Who knows, maybe Pablo ordered it. LOL

[eduardoguerrero]

The Rockwell Turbo Commander is known as the "Narco Commander" thanks to him...

[PBScourge]

My friend, not to be nit picky, but isn’t the word “cay, ” as in Norman’s Cay, pronounced Key? Just like a car key?

I’ve heard the word comes from an old Spanish word “cayo” which means small island.

Let me know if I am wrong. Thanks for the video!

[realediciocco]

Great idea for this video. Can I suggest the same for actors, celebrities, athletes etc

[keithbecker]

Good idea for a video! American Made is a badass movie.

[lear]

The Learjet 35A has a 45, 000 ft. ceiling.

[SebastianWoodard]

My dad actually flew for Barry Seal way back when.

[EdD-ymle]

Hey ... that was entertaining, more than I expected . I guess the 206 was the work horse version of the 210 . Maybe an " aircraft of drug runners, dictators, business leaders, etc " may yield a couple good video's but Pablo will be hard to beat .

[michaeljohn]

I work on these airplanes at my job. Sucks to hear that they were just usually trashed or thrown away after one use. Sad.

[johnnyrocco]

At 6:09 that was a Turbo Commander, and I was told it was Carlos "Joe" Lehder old bird. I know for a fact he did own one during his years on Norman Cay.

[BoBjjjjs]

1% of his money would have lasted me a lifetime :-)) EDIT: It might have been a short life if he had found out though :-((

[timberskypilot]

Read the books Sugar Alpha and Charlie Bravo two books about Roger Nelson. Great stories!

[johnnyrocco]

Did you forget about the one that was made just for dopers?? The Cessna 404 Titan. Without any special mods at all, it had a range of over 2000 miles and could hold a ton of product. Just ask Andrew Carter Thornton II, it was his go to bird to get the job done. It just wasn't a good plane to try and parachute out of.

[joshaby]

i should get into the drug smuggling industry

[lorenasalazar]

And the cessna 204 was used a lot by Carlos Lehder for his bussiness

[YZCC]

So he flew some of these himself? Like the super cub, he flew it to the Bahamas alone?

[StarFyre]

I have been in G-LEAR so many times, I worked for NEA Maintenance (you can make the logo out on the engine nacelles).

Once a KingAir 200 in the worst shape ever came in with faded Uganda Airlines livery. It was actually Idi Amins personal plane. (5X-UWS). We put it on the Belgium Registry (OO-TLS).
I found the fuel carnet but lost it years later, and also found a Zippo stuffed in a seat with a yellow Ford logo, not blue. I am assumed it was his due to the colour.

[SantaFe]

This is the first I have heard of Escobar.

[henrysantos]

Great videos well done
Pablo's Escobar's the real matatan ™®™ Ribirin HS,