Thu, Nov 12, 2009
But Didn't Have Enough Fuel To Fly Away
Code Enforcement Officers were called to Griffin-Spalding
airport in Griffin, Georgia Wednesday to respond to a complaint
about someone driving his vehicle across the runway and taxiway.
They finally identified Daniel Wayne Gryder, who had (reportedly)
initially denied knowing anyone by that name, and attempted to
serve him with a half-dozen citations.
Dan Gryder
Television station WSB-TV in Atlanta reports that Gryder refused
to sign the citations, climbed into his 1937 DC-3, which was parked
near the officers' car, and started the engines. Gryder then
reportedly told the officers he would hit their car with the
airplane if it was not moved. They said he nearly hit the car with
the aircraft as they returned to the vehicle.
Gryder's DC-3
As Gryder taxied to the runway, the local police and county
sheriff's deputies arrived at the airport. They ordered Gryder to
stop, but he refused.
But Gryder's getaway plans were thwarted by a lack of fuel for
the old Douglas. When he demanded a fuel truck be sent out to the
end of the runway, he was told "no." He taxied back to a parking
place, shut down the engines, and was arrested on leaving the
plane.
Gryder's actions shut down the airport for more than 45 minutes.
He's currently being held at the Spaulding County jail on charges
of aggravated assault and obstruction of an officer.
In addition, Gryder, a pilot for Delta Airlines, won't be
logging any airtime with the airline until the matter is
properly investigated. Delta spokesman Anthony Black reported
his suspension a short while ago and has confirmed
that the 48-year-old pilot is suspended.
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