Comments about ‘Man suspected in Colorado death kills himself after stealing airplane in St. George’

I realize we don't have the whole story, but there appears to be a systemic leadership problem with security at the St. George airport. In May, a plane crashed at 1:20 a.m. but wasn't found until 5:30 a.m. during a routine security check - a mere 500 feet from the runway on airport property, and now this incident. Perhaps the airport security officials need some additional training.

I use "smaller" airports all the time throughout the country. It's amazing that they have a solitary policeman show up when flights arrive and/or depart but just as soon as the aircraft has left, so does the officer, never to retun until the next scheduled flight. With the cost of aircraft these days wouldn't one think security concerns would merit a little more attention?

This must be embarrassing for Skywest to have it happen at their home office airport, too.

This was a non-article that basically said that something happened at the airport but we don't know what.

Also, if CHS 85 is correct, there seems to be a VERY big issue at the airport.

@toosmartforyou

Not only that, but this was a pilot for SkyWest who was a fugitive in a murder investigation in Colorado Springs. You'd think he'd be on top of the "Do NOT allow access" list for SkyWest. Don't they use ID badges with embedded chips like other airlines/airports that can have access turned off quickly? No one should ever have access to the flightline without a proper badge. I would think a fugitive in a murder investigation would qualify to have his access revoked.

I have heard that the man was a SkyWest pilot who was accused of homicide in Colorado. That is what prompted this bizarre incident. Should be interesting as more details are released.

Well this just makes me feel all warm and fuzy inside to know that someone can basically break into an airport and steal an airplane. I wonder why he wasn't able to get it into the air? Are there some sort of safety features in commercial airplanes that require involvement of an airport crew before it can actually get into the air? I hope so ...

CHS85--READ the story! He was not allowed access, he threw some carpet over the barbed wire to jump the fence to get inside the airport. Anybody could have done that and it was noticed very quickly. Then since he was a pilot, he knew how to fire up the plane and make it move. Maybe try and put more blame on the criminal and his motives and not the security of the airport. If someone is motivated enough they can bypass almost any security system.

@Manny

I commented before all the facts were released.

I apologize if I offended you.

I agree that there is need for increased security, the pilot was able to climb a fence, enter a jet, start it up, clip a building and shoot himself all before security was alerted.

@ Manny

Well, since the facts are now published does it make you feel any safer to know that all someone has to do to steal a commercial airplane in St. George is to drive up on a motorcycle and throw a piece of carpeting over the barbed wire and then they have their access to a plane? Do you think hitting the terminal with the end of the wing indicates this criminal pilot was of "sound mind and judgement?" It might be very interesting to have been able to see where he was going to fly it; he had to think it was fueled and ready to go.

Incidentally, that's why we have security----rational people wouldn't try to steal a jeep, let alone a CRJ. Of course if security is lax.........

It was a good thing he wasn't able to take off. Who knows what a suicidal pilot will do with the plane once it was off the ground? Actually 9-11 taught us what is possible.

Aircraft at the gate overnight normally have the fuel that they landed with on board. No ground crew is required. There should be airport security overnight, but a determined individual will always find a way to do evil. Power backing is damaging to the aircraft and often throws stones and dirt at the terminal, therefore it is seldom done.

I think when he clipped the terminal building that ruined his plans, whatever they were, and he tried to crash it into the parked cars to make a big boom. When that didn't happen, he shot himself.

Thank goodness no one else was hurt or killed in this lunacy. St George is a relatively new airport and has had some teething problems. I am a pilot and have landed there. The staff are great to work with. People should remember that gates, fences etc, are only made to keep honest people out. Determined people will always find a way in.

A lot of comments from people who don't know the facts. Not too many things worse than ignorance in action.

The larger issue is that a woman was killed by this man. The security issue began with him being released from jail on bail after being arrested for harassment. He was a threat to this woman. She knew it. The police knew it. The loss of her life is such a tragedy.

The aircraft thief apparently misjudged clearance of the jetway when powering up and the strike turned him left around the terminal. Who knows where he might have gone if he would have gotten airborne, perhaps to escape the country to Mexico, or perhaps some sort of terrorism in Las Vegas. Security officials are confident they would have scrambled jets from Nellis to bring it down long before either would have occurred.

Mentally depressed - SRRI meds casue bizarre irradice behaviors.

Read the FDA's labels.