2002 Tampa plane crash
Encyclopedia
The 2002 Tampa plane crash was an incident that occurred on Saturday, January 5, 2002. The incident occurred when a high-school student of Eastlake High in Tarpon Springs, Florida
, Charles J. Bishop, inspired by the September 11 attacks, stole a Cessna 172
and crashed it into the side of the Bank of America Tower
in downtown Tampa, Florida
. The impact killed the teenager and damaged an office room. There were no other injuries.
and the MacDill Air Force Base
. Despite repeated warnings from a helicopter dispatched by the Coast Guard, the small plane continued on until it collided with an office building. The plane crashed between the 23rd and 24th floors of the 42-story building.
. Before the incident, he was authorized to do a pre-flight check but not to get in an aircraft alone. After the crash, investigators discovered that the teen had a troubled past.
An investigation followed the incident. Officials ruled out terrorism although eye witnesses said that the plane made no apparent attempt to avoid hitting the building. Officials finally suggested that the crash was an apparent suicide. In addition, a note found in the wreckage stated that he voiced support for Osama Bin Laden
. However, there is no evidence that the teen had any connection with any terror group. Later authorities confiscated a computer from Bishop's parents' house to figure out what motive was involved in the incident. Moments after the incident, President George W. Bush
was briefly informed about the incident and two unrelated crashes that same day.
In April 2002, transcripts obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration revealed new details about the incident, which included how close the small plane came to a Southwest Airlines Flight.
Bishop's mother filed a $70 million dollar (2002 USD) lawsuit against Roche Laboratories
, who makes an acne medicine called Accutane. According to the lawsuit claim the medicine had side effects such as depression and suicidal actions, which the claim stated as the cause of the incident. The suit was dropped on June 26, 2007, by Bishop's mother, who stated she was physically and emotionally unable to continue the action.
After the incident took place, numerous security measures were taken. The FAA released a security notice on January 6, the day after the incident. The notice included security of the aircraft and regulations pertaining to underaged flight students. In addition, the EAA
and other smaller aircraft organizations proposed more security of flight schools and small aircraft.
While authorities stated that the crash was due to an "abuse of trust" rather than a security breach, others argue for the need of increased security due to the simplicity of such actions.
Charles J. Bishop is reported to have been a troubled member of the aviation forum Airliners.net
Tarpon Springs, Florida
Tarpon Springs is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The population was 21,003 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 22,554....
, Charles J. Bishop, inspired by the September 11 attacks, stole a Cessna 172
Cessna 172
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, single-engine, high-wing fixed-wing aircraft. First flown in 1955 and still in production, more Cessna 172s have been built than any other aircraft.-Design and development:...
and crashed it into the side of the Bank of America Tower
Bank of America Tower (Tampa)
The Bank of America Plaza is a 42-story skyscraper located in Downtown Tampa and was completed in 1986. At , it surpassed One Tampa City Center as the tallest building in Tampa, until completion of 100 North Tampa in 1992. The structure was originally known as Barnett Plaza...
in downtown Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
. The impact killed the teenager and damaged an office room. There were no other injuries.
Incident
At 5 p.m. EST, 15-year-old Bishop reportedly stole the small aircraft. As soon as the plane took off, the air traffic controllers alerted the United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
and the MacDill Air Force Base
MacDill Air Force Base
MacDill Air Force Base is an active United States Air Force base located approximately south-southwest of downtown Tampa, Florida...
. Despite repeated warnings from a helicopter dispatched by the Coast Guard, the small plane continued on until it collided with an office building. The plane crashed between the 23rd and 24th floors of the 42-story building.
Pilot
Bishop was a 15-year-old high-school student from Tarpon Springs, FloridaTarpon Springs, Florida
Tarpon Springs is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The population was 21,003 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 22,554....
. Before the incident, he was authorized to do a pre-flight check but not to get in an aircraft alone. After the crash, investigators discovered that the teen had a troubled past.
Investigation and aftermath
Osama bin Laden
Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden was the founder of the militant Islamist organization Al-Qaeda, the jihadist organization responsible for the September 11 attacks on the United States and numerous other mass-casualty attacks against civilian and military targets...
. However, there is no evidence that the teen had any connection with any terror group. Later authorities confiscated a computer from Bishop's parents' house to figure out what motive was involved in the incident. Moments after the incident, President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
was briefly informed about the incident and two unrelated crashes that same day.
In April 2002, transcripts obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration revealed new details about the incident, which included how close the small plane came to a Southwest Airlines Flight.
Bishop's mother filed a $70 million dollar (2002 USD) lawsuit against Roche Laboratories
Hoffmann-La Roche
F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. is a Swiss global health-care company that operates worldwide under two divisions: Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics. Its holding company, Roche Holding AG, has shares listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange....
, who makes an acne medicine called Accutane. According to the lawsuit claim the medicine had side effects such as depression and suicidal actions, which the claim stated as the cause of the incident. The suit was dropped on June 26, 2007, by Bishop's mother, who stated she was physically and emotionally unable to continue the action.
After the incident took place, numerous security measures were taken. The FAA released a security notice on January 6, the day after the incident. The notice included security of the aircraft and regulations pertaining to underaged flight students. In addition, the EAA
Experimental Aircraft Association
The Experimental Aircraft Association is an international organization of aviation enthusiasts based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Since its inception it has grown internationally with over 160,000 members and about 1,000 chapters worldwide....
and other smaller aircraft organizations proposed more security of flight schools and small aircraft.
While authorities stated that the crash was due to an "abuse of trust" rather than a security breach, others argue for the need of increased security due to the simplicity of such actions.
Charles J. Bishop is reported to have been a troubled member of the aviation forum Airliners.net
See also
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