727 Mysteriously Parked Facing Opposite Direction

Was it a prank, a burglary, or something else entirely? Authorities in Lake Township, OH are trying to figure out how a donated Boeing 727-100 changed parking spots at the airport... and what happened to some of the plane's instruments.

The mystery started April 27, when airport officials noticed the 40-year-old, ex-FedEx jet was parked at Metcalf Airport facing 180 degrees from its original position. FedEx donated the retired plane to Owens Community College, and had flown it to the airport nine days earlier.

Bemusement turned to suspicion of foul play, however, when authorities discovered some of the aircraft's flight instruments were missing.

The Toledo Blade reports some of those instruments have been recovered. Township police Chief Mark Hummer added a few "persons of interest" were questioned, but no arrests were made.

As the plane was moved from its original parking space, the township consulted with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force -- out of concern someone may have tried to steal the aircraft. But that's highly unlikely, Hummer said, and the agency deferred to local authorities in handling the investigation.

There was no damage to the aircraft, Hummer added, apart from the missing instruments.

The plane is slated for delivery to the Center for Emergency Preparedness, on the campus of Owens' Perryburg Township campus. The aircraft will be used for emergency and anti-terrorism training, the Blade reports.

FMI: www.fedex.com, www.owens.edu