Filing: Gyrocopter pilot nearly hit plane
WASHINGTON – A Florida man who flew a small gyrocopter through protected Washington airspace before landing outside the U.S. Capitol last spring was seconds away from colliding with a Delta flight that had taken off from Reagan National Airport, prosecutors said.
In a court filing Friday, prosecutors said Douglas Hughes flew his one-person aircraft almost directly into the oncoming flight path of the 150-person Airbus turbojet last April. Hughes came within 1,400 yards of Delta Flight 1639, while safety rules require aircraft to remain separated by more than 3,000 yards.
“If the gyrocopter had drifted slightly west, or the airline had taken a slightly more easterly path, a collision could have occurred,” prosecutors said. Such a collision could have been “catastrophic,” they added.
Hughes, who agreed to a plea deal in November, is set to be sentenced April 13. Prosecutors are asking for 10 months in prison, arguing the former mail carrier from Ruskin, Florida, put countless lives at risk. Hughes’ attorneys say they don’t think he should have to serve any more time behind bars, noting that no one was injured and no property was damaged. Hughes spent one night in jail after the stunt, served five weeks in home confinement and had this travel privileges restricted for nearly a year.
Blustery storm brings rain, snow to Calif.
SAN FRANCISCO – Steady rain fell in Northern California and fresh snow blanketed the Sierra Nevada as the first of several storms expected to slam Western states this weekend made its way inland Saturday, ending a dry spell and raising hopes the drought-stricken state can get much needed precipitation.
Droves of snowboarders, skiers and sledders packed Sierra slopes while tourists braved wet weather and visited San Francisco landmarks before the arrival of a blustery storm forecast for later in the day.
California is not the only place expecting severe weather. Conditions are especially ripe for tornadoes in the Southeast and Great Plains.
Forecasters warn the rain and snow will be accompanied by blustery winds, possibly up to 60 mph. The strong winds could bring down trees and power lines leading to scattered power outages, the National Weather Service said.
’Prince of Tides’ author Conroy dies
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Author Pat Conroy, whose beloved works “The Great Santini” and “The Prince of Tides” are set against the vistas of the South Carolina coast that was his home, was lauded Saturday as a great chronicler of the human condition and a humble and loving soul.
Conroy, 70, died Friday at his home in Beaufort, about an hour south of Charleston, surrounded by family and friends at the time, according to his publisher.
The heavy-set author died less than a month after announcing on Facebook that he was battling cancer. He promised to “fight it hard” and told his fans “I owe you a novel and I intend to deliver it.”
Funeral arrangements were still being worked out Saturday.
Associated Press
