A distraught man who allegedly threatened to crash the Cessna he was flying “if he saw any police around” is now a guest of the boys in blue. According to the Albany Times Union, the man apparently called his wife from the air on his cellphone saying he had a gun and intended to hurt himself. He also said he would crash the plane if he saw police. Operations were halted at Albany Airport for about 10 minutes and there were plenty of police around when he landed the plane. He was arrested after a foot chase and later charged with felony reckless endangerment and resisting arrest. No gun was found. Police confiscated his pilot certificate but the FAA hasn’t decided what sanctions he might face. The pilot is a member of the Upper Fifteen Flying Club and was flying a club plane back from Massachusetts, where he’d flown it the previous day.
Crash Threat Lands Pilot In Jail
Key Takeaways:
- A distraught pilot threatened to crash his Cessna at Albany Airport if police were present, also telling his wife he had a gun and intended to harm himself.
- He landed the plane despite the threats, was arrested after a foot chase, and subsequently charged with felony reckless endangerment and resisting arrest.
- No gun was found, but his pilot certificate was confiscated, and the FAA is considering further sanctions.
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