Moron Steals King-Air 90 in Tupelo

[Retired W4]

And he threatened to crash into the local Wal Mart. My wife called me in Hartwell when the news hit just in case I needed a good laugh, and I used to fly the 90 (the Army called it the U-21). He stayed in the air a good 5 hours, which is doable with the fully fueled King Air. Then landed in a soy bean field. There was no post crash fire, which usually indicates he was out of fuel.

I have not seen the preliminary report from NTSB but the 90 has pretty fat tires on the main gear and a good pilot could safely put it in off airport (soy bean field). Multiple state and federal charges filed. What an idiot!

 

[Bugkiller99]

Well you gotta give him credit, he did pick a nice ride to swipe!

 

[mckenney99]

A friend was following the episode and calling me with updates. Given his threat, the size of the plane and it's apparent fuel load, would the military have been notified to possibly eliminate the threat, once he left the highly populated area? He was going to come down one way or another, I'm surprised he was allowed to continue as long as it did. Best possible outcome short of returning to the airport and surrendering.

 

[NYlakesider]

A friend was following the episode and calling me with updates. Given his threat, the size of the plane and it's apparent fuel load, would the military have been notified to possibly eliminate the threat, once he left the highly populated area? He was going to come down one way or another, I'm surprised he was allowed to continue as long as it did. Best possible outcome short of returning to the airport and surrendering.

I have a feeling there were aircraft close by operating on discreet frequencies that could have put him down anytime they get the authorization!

 

[M29since14]

I wasn't aware of this. I presume the moron-in-question had access to the plane and was familiar with its basic operation? It seems to me there is always more to these stories than we hear. Airplanes are not noted for giving fools free passes, and the more complicated the plane, the less likely it is to do it.

 

[Onomea]

News said he had a job at the local airport refueling planes, and thus access. Interestingly, also said he did not have a pilot's license.

Didn't catch what he had against the local Walmart.

 

[arjay]

Glad they were able to talk him down,

 

[Puller]

News said he had a job at the local airport refueling planes, and thus access. Interestingly, also said he did not have a pilot's license.

Didn't catch what he had against the local Walmart.

The local news here indicated he was a student pilot that had not yet soloed.

They also said there was an experienced pilot in radio contact with him and tried to talk him down to the runway in Tupelo, but as the guy made his approach he chickened out flew on.

 

[Beemerguy53]

News said he had a job at the local airport refueling planes, and thus access. Interestingly, also said he did not have a pilot's license.

Didn't catch what he had against the local Walmart.

He evidently picked up enough knowledge to get off the ground from working in and around airplanes.

Reading the article, it's pretty clear he's not so much a "moron" as a sick puppy, somebody with clear mental health issues. I'm glad the incident ended with no loss of life.

By the way, once his legal troubles are resolved, he will have to find another career: He will no longer be able to pass the Security Threat Assessment required of all airport workers...

eCFR
::
49 CFR 1540.205 -- Procedures for security threat assessment.

 

[MDF4]

Nah...not buying it based on what little news info is published. Some guy with SEL experience, ticket or not, jumps into a twin turbine...knows the prestart-start etc procedures and flies around the country side and makes a successful landing in a bean field. Ofcourse...maybe he got all that from Flight Simulator? My grandson and USNA hopeful uses it and I have to say; very realistic.

 

[Squarebutt]

Heard he's being held without bail because he's a flight risk.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Heard he's being held without bail because he's a flight risk.

Well played, indeed.

 

[Retired W4]

Heard he's being held without bail because he's a flight risk.

Thanks. I needed that this morning.

 

[dockmurgw]

I'm glad he didn't damage the soybean field...much more valuable than the intended target.