Aircraft Takedown

This article or section refers to content that is no longer available in
the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC "Enhanced" version of Grand Theft Auto Online

“Yeah... Hey, friend, look, I've been seeing unauthorized aircraft move through Trevor Philips airspace...running guns. How about I let you know when they're in the sky, and you can take 'em down for me. You'll be paid, of course.”

— Trevor's phone call to unlock the mission

Aircraft Takedown is a feature in Grand Theft Auto Online Free Mode unlocked after reaching Rank 15 that was added as part of the Heists Update. The player has to shoot down a smuggler aircraft for Trevor Philips.

Overview

After installing the Heists Update or subsequently reaching Rank 15, the player will receive a telephone call from Trevor explaining that there are rival operations smuggling guns by air around Southern San Andreas and he would like the player to assist in eliminating the competition.

From this point, periodically a notification will appear on the player's screen and a red aircraft icon will appear on the free-roam map.

The job can be offered to a player who is alone in an online session (be it Public, Invite-only, Crew or Friend session).

The aircraft can be shot down from the air or from the ground.

As of the Freemode Events Update (patch 1.29), Aircraft Takedown has been discontinued on the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. It remained available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 platforms until their access to GTA Online was removed in December 2021.

Smugglers Vehicles

Smugglers will spawn with one from a specific list of planes/helicopters. This is the smugglers planes list extracted from game files. The smugglers plane speed is set to a base of 20.

Locations

This (Replace external links) is Under Construction.

They also have specific locations to spawn.

Locations 1
Locations 2
Locations 3
- Note: The black icon isn't a spawn location only the blue icons.

Rewards

“Well dun, frend. I hope u told 'em 2 run guns with TP Inc next time, b4u blasted em out the skie”

— Trevor's congratulatory text message

The player who destroys the vehicle will get a variable amount of cash rewarded and a text from Trevor thanking them.

A cash reward is given depending on the number of times a player has taken down an aircraft.

The first takedown rewards $3,000. Every subsequent takedown pays a multiple of $3,000 up to a maximum of a $30,000 cash reward for the 10th aircraft. The reward multiplier is persistent across session types and does not appear to expire. Once the maximum multiplier is achieved, every subsequent takedown will continue to yield the maximum $30,000.

Normal wanted level rules apply, if the takedown is witnessed, the player will gain 2-3 stars.

Failure will result in a derogatory message from Trevor.

“Sum1 just tried 2 sell me sum guns! That means that the byrd landed, and u r no kind of friend at all! Remind me 2 eat u when I next c u”

— Trevor's text message if the target aircraft escapes

Gallery

Trivia

Rarely, an aircraft will spawn and leave approximately 30 seconds later, leaving the player no chance to take down the aircraft. Sometimes, a bug will occur where the plane instantly despawns as soon as the notification pops up, making it impossible to shoot it down.
If the player bumps into the plane and it crashes, the mission will be failed, even though it is a way of destroying the plane. Choppers will not generally fall from the sky if bumped into.
If the aircraft flies over Fort Zancudo, the mission is impossible to complete.