Would-Be LA-Area Plane-Jacker Thwarted by Chains Authorities say an armed man tried to steal a small plane from a Los Angeles County airport, but his flight was foiled by a chain connecting the aircraft to the tarmac. A sheriff's statement says 25-year-old Troy Daniel Long, attempted to steal the two-seat Cessna 152 on Friday from Compton/Woodley Airport, where he'd been a student pilot. Airport employees said Long entered the airport office and began taking keys for airplanes, then pulled a gun on them when they tried to stop them. When deputies arrived they found Long revving the engine as the plane lurched and bucked because it was chained to the ground. Deputies drew their guns and Long eventually surrendered. He was turned over to FBI officials, who booked him on suspicion of aircraft piracy.