A Mississippi man, who worked as an airport employee, stole a small airplane on Saturday and caused panic among the residents of Mississippi. He flew the plane for nearly five hours, circling over a soybean field, before he was finally arrested by the police. The incident unnerved the Mississippians as they feared the plane would crash into the field or a nearby Walmart.
During a news conference, authorities revealed that Cory Wayne Patterson, 29, expressed that he had “no intention of causing harm to anyone.” This statement was made on Facebook, as well as to his parents and sister, shortly after he posted a farewell message. Fortunately, Patterson emerged unharmed following the turbulent landing.
After an anxious morning of watching the plane’s meandering path overhead, Tupelo Mayor Todd Jordan called the resolution “the best case scenario.”.
Nobody was harmed.
Patterson, who worked at Regional Tupelo Airport, was responsible for fueling planes, including the C90A Air King Beechcraft twin-engine aircraft, as mentioned by Chief Police Quaka John.
Fifteen minutes later, Patterson, a dispatcher from Lee County 911, called to say that he had planned to crash a plane into a nearby convenience store and Walmart, according to Quaka, a 10-year employee of Aviation Tupelo. The plane, fully fueled, took off.
Quaka stated that this is likely an offense that occurred as a result of the situation, underscoring the fact that the control tower at the airport is unmanned until 6 a.M.
Officials stated that the flight recommenced and Patterson canceled the endeavor just before the end, however, he was guided by a personal aviator into almost touching down at the Tupelo airfield. He was unaware of the method, but law enforcement negotiators managed to establish communication and persuade Patterson to make a landing.
Quaka stated that Patterson had touched down in a field and emerged unscathed, and a mediator re-established communication at approximately 10 a.M. The aircraft landed close to Ripley, Mississippi, roughly 85 miles (140 kilometers) southeast of Memphis, Tennessee, and approximately 45 miles (70 kilometers) northwest of Tupelo.
“There’s harm but believe it or not, the airplane is undamaged,” the leader informed journalists.
Police said that Patterson, whose Facebook page said he is from Shannon, was charged with grand larceny and making terroristic threats. Quaka stated that federal authorities could also bring charges. Additionally, Patterson is not believed to be a licensed pilot but has received some flight instruction.
Jordan stated that Patterson reached out to family members while on the flight. The mayor expressed his hope that Patterson “will receive the help he requires.”
“Farewell,” shared Patterson’s Facebook post around 9:30 a.M. This is not your responsibility. I hold deep affection for my parents and sister. I have never intended to cause harm to anyone. Apologies to all.
Peter Goelz, the former managing director at the National Transportation Safety Board, expressed concerns about the vulnerability of small airports, which cater to corporate jets and small planes, and worried about security for years.
He said, “You have got a pretty lethal weapon there, you’ve got a trained pilot who can grab and get in a jet business”.
WATCH: Regulatory body calls for increased measures to safeguard aircraft from cyber attackers.
Roxanne Ward, a Ripley resident, reported to The Associated Press that while on her father-in-law’s land, she heard the sound of impact when the aircraft made contact with the ground. Prior to this, she had been monitoring the plane’s progress online and had intended to seek refuge in the basement of her father-in-law’s residence.
She and her companions hopped on quad bikes to go for a ride.
From a distance, Ward observed, “Once it collided, law enforcement promptly arrived and anticipated its arrival.” She mentioned that the pilot exited the aircraft without opposing the authorities. “The police persuaded him to come out. They shouted, ‘Raise your arms!'”
Michael Canders, the director of the Aviation Center at Farmingdale State College in New York, referred to the incident as a “wake-up call” for staff in the aviation industry and airports in general.
In Tupelo, there was an incident involving an employee who had access to airplanes, according to Canders. The Transportation Security Administration mandates yearly training that highlights the importance of a “see something, say something” strategy in order to deter a situation similar to what the police suspect.
He said, “The discussion is about this very important thing, which involves intentionally causing damage and gaining access to someone’s potential.” “It is dependent on all those who work at an airport. If you see someone you don’t recognize or notice any unusual activity, you’re supposed to report it.”
A web-based flight monitoring service displayed the aircraft’s swirling trajectory through the atmosphere early on Saturday.
Leslie Criss, a magazine editor who lives in Tupelo, woke up early and was watching the situation on social media and TV, while her friends were watching the plane circle overhead.
“Criss informed AP, ‘I have never witnessed anything of this nature in this locality.’ ‘It is a frightening manner to be awakened on a Saturday morning.'”
Goelz stated that the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration would likely examine the issue and incident, with a focus on providing guidance and tightening security measures, as it could potentially be a costly prospect.
“That’s costly,” Goelz remarked. “They won’t have the finances unless the federal government is going to supply it.” In order for them to increase security for Saturday morning at 5 a.M., When their tower doesn’t open until 6, for an airport like Tupelo.
WATCH: How the Transportation Security Administration can enhance the effectiveness of airport security.
Tupelo is situated between these two cities. In Starkville and Oxford, at the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University, numerous college football enthusiasts were making their way to Saturday football matches while the airplane incident was taking place.
Daniel and Jane stood outside in their front yard, watching as the plane landed near the oak and pine trees, circling low over them.
Jane Alsup remarked, “He departed temporarily, and shortly after, we perceived his return. Merely moments afterward, a substantial ‘flump’ resonated, and he descended into the soybean field.”
Daniel Alsup said the plane landed on the other side of some trees, so they did not see it hit the ground.
“This was the ideal location it could have occurred,” he stated regarding the countryside landing spot.