Adam Dylan Leon, the suspect who allegedly stole an aircraft from Canada Monday, is seen in a booking photo released by the Butler County, Missouri Sheriff's Department Tuesday, April 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Daily American Republic, Butler County Sheriff)
Updated: Wednesday, 08 Apr 2009, 12:52 PM CDT
Published : Wednesday, 08 Apr 2009, 12:52 PM CDT
ST. LOUIS (AP) - The agency charged with protecting North American air space never considered shooting down a rogue pilot who stole a plane in Canada and flew erratically for seven hours before landing on a dark Missouri highway.
The suspect, 31-year-old Adam Dylan Leon, is jailed in St. Louis on two federal charges.
Authorities say Leon stole a plane from his flight school in Ontario on Monday, then flew over Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri before landing on U.S. 60 near Ellsinore, Mo. A passer-by took him to a store, where he was arrested.
Mike Kucharek of the North American Aerospace Defense Command says use of lethal force is always an option when pilots violate air space. But Kucharek says officials determined early that Leon did not have "hostile intent."
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