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. Nevertheless, Cory finally landed in a area—the place authorities arrested him.
Based on Tupelo Police Chief John Quaka, Cory was an worker of Tupelo Aviation for the final 10 years. He labored as a lineman—answerable for refueling the planes.
However on Saturday, he selected to maneuver exterior his regular work duties. Throughout a information convention, the chief revealed Cory stole the twin-engine airplane at 5:08 a.m. native time. Cory then took off from the Tupelo Regional Airport in a Beechcraft King Air C90. Based on CNN, the airplane he stole was reportedly totally fueled the evening earlier than, nevertheless 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 Principal Walmart situated in Tupelo. Chief Quaka mentioned the Walmart, surrounding shops, and main streets have been evacuated whereas the airplane was nonetheless within the air.
Based on CBS, Cory has minimal expertise with airplanes, together with some flight instruction. Nevertheless, 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 operating low on gasoline by about 9:30 a.m. native time. About half-hour later, Cory landed the airplane in a area a number of miles from Ripley, Mississippi.
Cory Faces Costs For Stolen Aircraft—No Accidents Reported
Authorities took Cory into custody shortly after the touchdown. He’s dealing with expenses of grand larceny and making terroristic threats. The airplane sustained minimal damages, regardless of witness reviews that it landed “exhausting.”
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident. Nobody, together with Cory, was injured throughout at this time’s occasions.
The airplane over North MS is down. Grateful the scenario 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
