[Home] to paraglide.net [SD Log] [Amigo] [Activity] [Photo] [Comments] [Incidents] [Weather] [SBSA] [SCPA]

Mid June, 1997 Flight from Santa Barbara to the Pitchess Detention Center (Jail) across I-5
[SD's Article]  [Track Image]  [AP Article 1]  [AP Article 2]

Copied in 2014 from:
http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1997/Wayward-paraglider-lands-in-jail/id-4ecd86564fdc20b3e7749cdf057a5fc2

Wayward paraglider lands in jail
AP , Associated Press Jun. 16, 1997 1:22 AM ET
CASTAIC, CALIF. CASTAIC, Calif. (AP)

A paraglider trying to break a distance record got an unexpected landing reception from sheriff's deputies in a prison field.

A Los Angeles County sheriff's special weapons team was training at the Pitchess Detention Center range when an ``unidentified flying person'' was spotted overhead.

Fearing some sort of a jail break, deputies began trailing the gliding Thomas Truax in patrol cars.

``The deputies recalled the recent escape from one of the jail facilities and believed that this unidentified flying person may be involved in criminal activity,'' Deputy Bob Killeen said.

Truax, 42, of Carpenteria, was actually trying on Friday to break a 125-mile distance record for the non-motorized, parachute-like glider.

He took off from Santa Barbara and was heading to the Mojave Desert but after four hours began losing altitude over Lake Piru, just west of the jail complex.

Truax circled wider while trying to find an updraft, which placed him directly above the jail _ and the Sheriff's Department's all-purpose shooting range.

``I didn't realize the jail was there,'' Truax said. ``I thought it was a business center.''

He finally landed in a field near the prison compound, where he said he was quickly surrounded by about 15 deputies, one with a gun drawn.

``After a brief investigation, it was determined that Mr. Truax was not involved in a plot to aid in the escape of any inmate,'' the Sheriff's Department said.

The deputies helped Truax load his craft into one of their vehicles and drove him to meet his friend at the gate.

 [Top of Page]  [Home]