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A student pilot vandalized 10 aircraft at a Florida airport after being denied a solo flight. The 23-year-old student was arrested and charged with felony criminal mischief.
Sumebh Singh, a student from India, was a student at Treasure Coast Flight School located at Witham Field Airport in Stuart, Florida. Martin County Sheriff's Office said that Singh became angry after the school flight instructors would not allow him to take a solo flight. The school officials called the Sheriff's Office after they saw Singh on video going from plane to plane, damaging the aircraft. In total, Singh damaged 10 aircraft at the airport, with each plane grounded while mechanics could determine the extent of the damage. Martin County Sheriff William Snyder told CBS 12 News that if his actions were not caught on camera something terrible could have happened.
"Some of the damage they think he may have done and would maybe not have been detected, until they were airborne, would've impacted their ability to land," Snyder said to CBS.
CBS reported that the owner of the international flight school estimates a total of $1,200 each or about $12,000 total. The local outlet also reported that the FBI is working closely with local law enforcement on the case. Singh is being held without bond since he is in the country on a work visa with a passport from India. The Miami Herald reports that the Treasure Coast is a full-service flight school training pilots from all over the world, using certifications required in specific nations or regions. Now, the entire fleet is grounded to undergo inspections and maintenance.
"They grounded the entire fleet, the whole operation is shut down because of what he's done," Snyder said to CBS.
The Sheriff's Office has not shared the extent of the damage on the planes. Treasure Coast News reported that Singh allegedly paid the flight school $50,000 and was excited to perform a solo flight. The local outlet also reported that Singh was a pilot in India and was at the U.S. flight school to obtain certifications. When the instructor told Singh he was not ready for a solo flight, he walked away and began damaging the throttle on each plane. He reportedly bent the throttle on the 10 planes.
"If that throttle, because it's now been compromised, has been bent, especially if that broke in flight, it will be catastrophic," Chief Deputy John Budensiek said to Treasure Coast News.
"... (Singh) said that he was mad at the flight company because of how much money he cost them," Budensiek said to Treasure Coast News. "So his goal was to cost them $50,000 and damage as much as he had paid to go to school."
After the vandalism, Singh was arrested and has been charged with felony criminal mischief. The FBI is investigating since the vandalism involved aircraft. Budensiek also told Treasure Coast News that since Singh is an Indian citizen, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement has also been contacted.