"Embarrassing" Airport Transgression By Patty Wagstaff Has Resulted In Charges

While the aero-rumor mill continues unabated, ANN has confirmed that airshow pilot Patty Wagstaff's issues with law enforcement revolve around her alleged refusal to consent to a "breathalyzer" (or equivalent) test after an airshow security transgression spun out of control. At the very least, this has created a difficult, if not embarrassing, set of circumstances for the veteran performer. 

Let's Review The Previous ANN Report

As previously detailed by ANN, and repeated in a number of other venues, accomplished aerobatic performance pilot and air show veteran Patty Wagstaff told ANN well over a week ago she had an altercation at Oshkosh 2008 while attempting to get back from the "Gathering of Eagles" dinner Thursday evening, July 31st, while enroute to the nearby Hilton, using interior airport access. It was late at night, somewhere North of 2230, and Patty (in the company of at least three other persons) apparently got off-kilter on the grounds of Wittman Field and got the rapt attention of Oshkosh airport/airshow security.

The situation went downhill from there -- during a week in which the tenor of some aspects of the security apparatus at Wittman Field has been characterized as "less than friendly."

Patty freely admits that she was "in the wrong place at the wrong time" and is horribly embarrassed at what transpired. Security "busted" her for being in an unauthorized area on the airport grounds, and the matter somehow escalated into an "uncomfortable" situation which required the attention of the Winnebago County Sheriff to resolve... and some three hours of their collective time.

Wagstaff spoke to ANN, the following Saturday, and explained that she was "horribly upset at the misunderstanding that occurred," but also added that she was pretty unhappy with the escalation from local airshow security to the Sheriff. Once again, though, she noted that she certainly regretted any "implications in which EAA people or anyone else did anything less than upstanding..."

Since the matter will be reviewed by local authorities, Wagstaff was constrained from specific comment about particular issues, but assured ANN that she remained "terribly sorry about what happened," pointedly adding that she was "absolutely not impaired."

The Update

The Wisconsin Court Reporting system confirms that Wagstaff currently faces two charges, with hearings currently scheduled for September 2nd. The first is a violation of WI 346.63(1), described as "Operating While under Influence (1st)." This charge is levied against those suspected of a first time OUI (Operating Under the influence) infraction. The second is WI 343.305, described as "Refuse to Take Test for Intoxication." According to legal experts, Wagstaff's refusal to consent to a breathalyzer (or other form of chemical measurement of potential intoxication) pretty much makes the first charge an automatic issue. When one refuses to submit to such testing, it is taken by the courts as an admission of guilt... and is charged that way... so long as the request for such testing, on the part of Law Enforcement, was issued lawfully and according to established guidelines (including, we assume, the necessary probable cause to suggest that the test may have been necessary).  

Under most circumstances, the matter would be difficult to contest... but details emerging from this matter suggest that this may not be so. ANN has had extensive discussions with persons close to Wagstaff and with those who were in her company within minutes of the alleged infractions. None of them, including some credible industry personnel (speaking on background), saw any evidence of impairment or intoxication and are vehement in that opinion. Further; a number of these same persons indicate that both the security personnel and the Sheriff's officers acted 'aggressively' and in a manner in which Wagstaff has admitted to "some fear" of the situation she found herself in on the grounds of Wittman Field, in the late hours of July 31st. 

ANN has received a number of detailed reports concerning aggressive behavior by local law enforcement and some security personnel while this year's Oshkosh event was underway. Persons close to the Wagstaff matter have indicated that the "aggressive" performance and behavior of the Winnebago County Sheriff should have been examined carefully in this matter before any charges were filed.

More info to follow...

FMI: www.airventure.org, www.pattywagstaff.com