On April 4, 1987, a Cessna 402B (registration N402BC) operated by Friendship Inter Air Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Altus, OK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The unauthorized pilot's loss of control following immediate application of power after engine start, which occurred during an attempted theft of the aircraft. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A 17-year-old unauthorized pilot attempted to steal an aircraft, lost control immediately after engine start, and crashed into a hangar, causing substantial damage.
What happened
A seventeen-year-old individual who held no pilot certification, accompanied by three companions, attempted to unlawfully take possession of the aircraft. After successfully starting the engines, the unauthorized operator applied power. Control was lost immediately upon movement. The aircraft struck a nearby hangar structure and continued its path across the taxiway. It slid sideways for approximately 120 feet before coming to rest.
The investigation
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The primary structural failures resulted from the initial impact with the hangar and subsequent contact between the left propeller and the ground during the slide.
Probable cause
The unauthorized pilot's loss of control following immediate application of power after engine start, which occurred during an attempted theft of the aircraft.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 4 Apr 1987 Cessna 402B accident near Altus, OK?
A 17-year-old unauthorized pilot attempted to steal an aircraft, lost control immediately after engine start, and crashed into a hangar, causing substantial damage.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 4 Apr 1987 involved a Cessna 402B, registration N402BC, operated by Friendship Inter Air Inc., at Altus, OK.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The unauthorized pilot's loss of control following immediate application of power after engine start, which occurred during an attempted theft of the aircraft.
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