A longtime airport worker is in police custody after stealing an airplane early Saturday morning. The person, recognized as Cory Wayne Patterson by police, threatened to crash the plane right into a Mississippi Walmart. Nonetheless, Cory finally landed in a discipline—the place authorities arrested him.
In keeping with Tupelo Police Chief John Quaka, Cory was an worker of Tupelo Aviation for the final 10 years. He labored as a lineman—liable for refueling the planes.
However on Saturday, he selected to maneuver outdoors his regular work duties. Throughout a information convention, the chief revealed Cory stole the twin-engine aircraft at 5:08 a.m. native time. Cory then took off from the Tupelo Regional Airport in a Beechcraft King Air C90. In keeping with CNN, the airplane he stole was reportedly absolutely fueled the evening earlier than, however it’s unclear if Cory did the refueling.
Man Threatens To Crash Into Native Walmart At About 5:30 A.M.
Shortly earlier than 5:30 a.m. native time, Cory known as 911 in Lee County. Whereas chatting with authorities, he threatened to crash the airplane into the West Fundamental Walmart situated in Tupelo. Chief Quaka mentioned the Walmart, surrounding shops, and main streets had been evacuated whereas the aircraft was nonetheless within the air.
In keeping with CBS, Cory has minimal expertise with airplanes, together with some flight instruction. Nonetheless, he doesn’t have a pilot’s license or expertise with touchdown plans.
Tupelo Police negotiators satisfied Cory to desert his plan of crashing into the chain retailer. With the assistance of a licensed pilot, police and Cory made a plan for him to land the plane at Tupelo Airport. However, Cory modified the settlement on the final minute. As an alternative, he started touring northwest.
The airplane was within the sky for greater than 5 hours, per CBS. Inside that point, Cory posted a message on Fb primarily saying goodbye. Police mentioned he was working low on gas by about 9:30 a.m. native time. About half-hour later, Cory landed the aircraft in a discipline a number of miles from Ripley, Mississippi.
Cory Faces Expenses For Stolen Aircraft—No Accidents Reported
Authorities took Cory into custody shortly after the touchdown. He’s going through fees of grand larceny and making terroristic threats. The airplane sustained minimal damages, regardless of witness experiences that it landed “onerous.”
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident. Nobody, together with Cory, was injured throughout right this moment’s occasions.
The aircraft over North MS is down. Grateful the state of affairs has been resolved and that nobody was injured. Thanks most of all to native, state, and federal legislation enforcement who managed this example with excessive professionalism.
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) September 3, 2022
