Forum: Civil and General Aviation

Police say that before 16-year-old Nathan Wyatt Frost could steal the airplane he allegedly took on an unauthorized joyride last week, he first had to get to the airport. So he stole a feed truck.

Frost was taken into custody early Wednesday morning at a Murfreesboro, TN fast food restaurant after leading authorities on a wild, and awe-inspiring, joyride... that may have all been over a girl.

Police say the incident began when Frost allegedly stole the feed truck, and drove to the Shelbyville Municipal Airport Tuesday night. He then broke into a PA-28 Cherokee (file photo of type, above) owned by one Hank Williamson, and took off in the pilfered Piper en route to mayhem.

Frost proceeded to buzz houses in Eagleville before flying back to Shelbyville Airport. Frost took right off again, though, when he saw police officers approaching -- and he headed back over town.

Eagleville Police Deputy Scott Daniel says Frost may have been prompted to take the plane and buzz homes after an argument with another youth over Frost's girlfriend. The Murfreesboro Daily News Journal reports her home was one of those Frost flew over.

The young pilot also buzzed officers on the highway, who were responding to angry homeowners calling to complain about the airplane noise. Frost was even so kind as to put on a show for them.

He flew "right over the top of us," Daniel said, adding Frost guided the plane in circles and side angles, swooping up and down and towards the officers.

"The kid was a good pilot," Daniel added, comparing Frost's aerial feats to an air show.

As he again approached Shelbyville, once more Frost found police waiting for him -- so he diverted to Murfreesboro, about 20 n.m. south. He once again landed the aircraft without incident -- and then bolted the scene.

Police found the budding air show pilot a short time later, at a local Jack-In-The-Box fast food restaurant -- where police apprehended him in the parking lot.

"He was jacked out of the box," Murfreesboro Detective Major Chuck Thomas punned to the paper.

Frost is now cooling his jets in juvie, after being charged with theft and endangering the lives of most of the residents of central Tennessee. For what it's worth, however, Frost -- who had apparently flown an airplane before, and may have even soloed -- took excellent care of the aircraft he stole.

"It's in good shape, no harm," owner Williamson said. The aircraft was temporarily impounded by the FAA for its investigation into the matter.

"We were glad [Frost] didn't get hurt or hurt anybody," added Thomas. "From what everybody said, he was a skilled pilot. He kept control."

No word on how Frost's girlfriend took the news.