Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Cirrus SR22, N960CM: Dennis Hunter turns himself in to authorities

 
Dennis Hunter

BENTON, Ark. (KTHV) - The man who took off in a plane in Saline County has turned himself in. 

 Lt. Scott Courtney with the Saline County Sheriff's Office says that Dennis Hunter, of California, turned himself in Friday afternoon.

He is out on a $150,000 bond.

Authorities were initially called Monday to assist Homeland Security by going to the Saline County Airport to check on a plane that was to arrive. When deputies got there, the plane was fueling up. As deputies approached, the pilot got back in the plane and quickly took off.

The plane was found Tuesday night on a dirt road just outside of Stuttgart.

Lt. Courtney said he doesn't know why the pilot or plane is wanted by the government. As for why he's wanted by federal authorities and how they knew he would refuel in Saline County, investigators tell THV they cannot release any more information at this time.

He is charged with aggravated assault and fleeing. 


Story and Reaction/Comments:   http://www.thv11.com

Story and Reaction/Comments:   http://www.katv.com

 http://registry.faa.gov/N960CM

Pilot Of Fugitive Plane In Arkansas ID’d  

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has released the name of a pilot they suspect was flying a fugitive plane located in east Arkansas this week.

Dennis Hunter of California was spotted in Saline County, where he touched down in Benton on Monday (April 1) to refuel, but took off as authorities approached, officials said.

The abandoned plane was later found on a remote road 10 miles east of Stuttgart. However, the pilot escaped and ran off into the woods, according to FAA officials.

Jay Watsabaugh of Buffalo, Wyo., told 5NEWS he bought the aircraft in 2001, selling it six months ago to Hunter.

Hunter, owner of GeoPlanter in Petaluma, Calif., could not be reached Tuesday for comment. According to the company’s Twitter account, GeoPlanter makes “breathable pots and planters that Make Plants Happy.”

Watsabaugh said he sold the aircraft to Hunter on eBay for $107,000 but never met him in person. Watsabaugh said Hunter still owes him about $12,000 for the plane.

The aircraft can fly more than 200 mph with a tailwind and hold 1,000 pounds of cargo, Watsabaugh said.

Lt. Scott Courtney with the Saline County Sheriff’s Department said deputies were asked to check the Saline County Regional Airport, also called “Watts Field” Monday for a Cirrus model aircraft.

When deputies arrived on the runway, the plane was fueling up, and when the pilot saw deputies approaching, he jumped back in the single-engine plane and took off.

The suspect and plane were headed to Northwest Arkansas, possibly Fayetteville, according to Lt. Courtney.

Fayetteville police said they received a call at 11:52 p.m. Monday from Lockheed Martin, a company in the aerospace and defense in industries.

“They didn’t give a whole lot of specifics about what they wanted however they did mention to us that if we found it just  notify them and not too approach the plane,” said Sgt. Craig Stout, Fayetteville Police.

Officers searched Drake Field, but were unable to locate the plane.

Fort Smith Police said they received a similar call and also checked the Fort Smith Regional Airport early Tuesday morning.

The Federal Aviation Administration also issued an alert for Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, according to Shain Carter, the airport’s Public Information Officer.

The FAA told police not to search or approach the aircraft if the plane was located, but to instead call FAA investigators immediately.

Source:   http://5newsonline.com


KATV - Breaking News, Weather and Razorback Sports 

ARKANSAS COUNTY (KATV) - A missing plane being flown by a fugitive was found about 15 miles outside of Stuttgart. 

 Department of Correction officials have a dog on the ground to help in the manhunt after the suspect jumped out of the plane and ran away, according to the Arkansas County sheriff's office. The plane was found near Hunt and Boone Hill roads off of Highway 153 near the town of Casscoe.

Officials would not say what the fugitive was charged with or wanted for or what his name is. the Arkansas County sheriff identified him only as a white male with long hair and dark pants who might be barefoot. The Department of Homeland Security would confirm only that the suspect is not from Arkansas.

The only sign they have found of him since the plane crashed in Arkansas County is a sweater in a field they believe to be his.

Saline County Sheriff Bruce Pennington told Channel 7 News that the suspect flew into the Saline County airport Monday night. Deputies tried to arrest him there while he re-fueled but the suspect managed to get back in the air before they could reach him. Sheriff Pennington said the suspect nearly hit one of his deputies during that getaway. The suspect used a credit card for someone out of California. Investigators are not sure if it's his or if it was stolen.

He was not seen again until the plane was found in Arkansas County Tuesday morning.

The Federal Aviation Administration would not confirm if the plane was stolen.

Story, photos, video, reaction/comments:   http://www.katv.com



 http://registry.faa.gov/N960CM










Authorities have located a missing plane from Benton, Ark., law enforcement officials told CNN Tuesday afternoon (April 2).

The aircraft was located 10 miles east of Stuttgart. However, the pilot escaped and ran off into the woods, according to FAA officials.

Jay Watsabaugh of Buffalo, Wyo., told 5NEWS he bought the aircraft in 2001 and sold it six months ago to Dennis Hunter of California. Hunter could not be reached Tuesday for comment.

Lt. Scott Courtney with the Saline County Sheriff’s Department said deputies were asked to check the Saline County Regional Airport, also called “Watts Field” Monday (April 1) for a Cirrus model aircraft.

When deputies arrived on the runway, the plane was fueling up, and when the pilot saw deputies approaching, he jumped back in the single-engine plane and took off.

The suspect and plane were headed to Northwest Arkansas, possibly Fayetteville, according to Lt. Courtney.

Fayetteville police said they received a call at 11:52 p.m. Monday from Lockheed Martin, a company in the aerospace and defense in industries.

“They didn’t give a whole lot of specifics about what they wanted however they did mention to us that if we found it just  notify them and not too approach the plane,” said Sgt. Craig Stout, Fayetteville Police.

Officers searched Drake Field, but were unable to locate the plane.

Fort Smith Police said they received a similar call and also checked the Fort Smith Regional Airport early Tuesday morning.

The Federal Aviation Administration also issued an alert for Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, according to Shain Carter, the airport’s Public Information Officer.

The FAA told police not to search or approach the aircraft if the plane was located, but to instead call FAA investigators immediately.

5NEWS talked to the previous owner of the aircraft, he lives in Wyoming and said he sold it to a man in California six months ago for $107,000.

Story, Video, Reaction/Comments:  http://5newsonline.com

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