Aircraft He Flew Described As A 'Bucket Of Bolts' By Witnesses

A virginia man is facing federal charges after he took an un-airworthy aircraft on an unauthorized flight without the benefit of having a pilot certificate.

The incident occurred in September of 2018. Ryan Guy Parker allegedly took an airplane which a witness described as "a bucket of bolts" on a joyride at Shannon Airport (KEZF) near Fredericksburg.

Radio station WTOP reports that documents filed in federal court in Virginia indicate that the plane Parker flew did not have a valid airworthiness certificate, and that the weather was unsafe for flying on the day in question.

A witness said he saw Parker fly about 50 feet above two large airport fuel tanks containing some 18,000 gallons of fuel. Two other witnesses reported seeing Parker flying "in patterns" for 10-15 minutes.

The court documents indicate that when Parker landed, the airplane bounced and then "spun out".

Parker reportedly told one witness that he had been working on the airplane when "the throttle got stuck" and the plane took off with him inside.

The affidavit indicates that one of the witnesses apparently was familiar with Parker because the suspect had previously operated an aircraft washing business at KEZF.

FMI: Source report