Flight delays often come down to the typical challenges, including bad weather, maintenance checks, or waiting for an arriving aircraft. Even after passengers have boarded, congestion on the taxiway can keep a plane from leaving on time. But travelers at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California, recently encountered a different type of delay.
On Tuesday, flights briefly paused after a Delta Air Lines passenger scheduled to fly to Seattle allegedly stole an airport vehicle and crashed it on the airfield. Police took him into custody, and air traffic control audio captured pilots learning what had caused the unexpected disruption.
The Delta Passenger Allegedly Tried Taking Two Airport Vehicles Before Police Stopped Him
According to an ABC7 report, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department identified the passenger as 26-year-old Skyler Jay Barr from Everett, Washington. Barr had been scheduled to fly to Seattle with Delta Air Lines when he left the terminal through a restricted door at Gate 12 around 5:30 p.m., October 6.
An airport tug is a vehicle used to move aircraft or pull carts carrying luggage and cargo around the airfield.
Once on the airfield, he allegedly stole a tug assigned to Alaska Airlines and drove toward Gate 7, where he subsequently crashed into another vehicle. Then he tried to take an American Airlines lavatory truck, which services aircraft toilets. Airport Police Services stopped Barr before he could do so.
Pilots waiting nearby as the incident unfolded noticed the police activity and turned to air traffic control for explanations. Their recorded conversations offered a glimpse into how the situation unfolded.
Air Traffic Control Audio Captured The Brief Flight Disruption
In one exchange, a pilot who had just landed asked why law enforcement was present, saying, “Hey Ground, SkyWest 3492, just out of curiosity, do you know what’s going on with the vehicles behind us with all the law enforcement?”
The controller explained that there had been a security breach and also mentioned a ground stop, although ABC7 later clarified that no official ground stop was issued.
“Yeah, looks like someone stole a tug — a security breach at the airport — someone stole a tug, so they pretty much shut down, put a ground stop in effect,” he replied.
Flights did briefly pause, and the area around Gate 7 was closed for about 10 minutes during the police response.
According to CNN, before planes could get moving again, crews examined the taxiway between Gates 7 and 12 for debris or anything else left behind from the passenger’s escapade.
Entering an airfield without permission can do more than delay flights. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warns that pilots aren’t always able to see nearby vehicles or pedestrians, making it dangerous to approach an aircraft or cross its path.
Aircraft movement resumed shortly afterward, but the incident left some commenters on YouTube baffled.
Several expressed frustration that someone could slip through a restricted area so easily, lamenting that travelers are subject to strict rules (including the despised 3-1-1 liquid rule) at TSA security checkpoints. Others called for a lifetime flying ban and tougher consequences to discourage anyone from trying something similar. Another commenter simply blamed the hot weather for Barr’s actions.
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“Too busy confiscating 4 oz bottles of shampoo to secure the runway.” |
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“In the meantime, security is so ‘tight’ I am unable to bring scissors into the airport.” |
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“Hope he is put on a lifetime no-fly list and not able to even be anywhere near any airports, if Homeland Security doesn’t ensure he is locked away. Make an example so we do not have any repeats.” |
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“I’ve seen the heat do strange things to ppl’s psyche, but this is a new one.” |
While commenters questioned how Barr reached the airfield and called for tougher consequences, Delta said it was taking the incident seriously.
Delta Says It Is Cooperating With Law Enforcement
In a statement shared with CNN, Delta said it was working with law enforcement to investigate the illegal joyride that occurred at John Wayne Airport on Tuesday.
“Delta has zero tolerance for unlawful behavior, and we take all incidents seriously. Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our customers and people, and we are cooperating fully with law enforcement,” the airline stated.
TheTravel contacted Delta for additional information.
There is still no confirmed explanation for why Barr took the tug or how he was able to slip out of a restricted doorway. Airport officials said he was taken to a hospital for evaluation after being detained.
Thursday, he was charged with felony vehicle theft and vandalism, along with misdemeanor trespass at an airport security inspection.
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