Shooting down plane not considered

Updated: Wednesday, 08 Apr 2009, 12:52 PM CDT
Published : Wednesday, 08 Apr 2009, 12:52 PM CDT

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."

Comments that are derogatory, attack other users, offer unsubstantiated facts, use foul language or are offensive in nature can and will be removed as defined by the Terms of Service. FOX 11 is not responsible for the content posted in this comment section. We reserve the right to remove any offensive or off-topic remark or thread. To mark a comment for review by a moderator, click "Report."