3 months ago
GRIFFIN, Ga. (AP) -- Delta Air Lines has suspended a pilot who was arrested and charged with trying to strike officers with his plane at the Griffin-Spalding Airport.
Delta spokesman Anthony Black said Thursday that 48-year-old Dan Wayne Gryder is suspended pending the investigation's completion. Gryder is a Delta pilot and private aircraft instructor.
The airport was shut down for 45 minutes Wednesday after police said Gryder first drove his car across the runway and taxiway before getting into his private plane and threatening to strike officers with the aircraft.
Deputies flooded the area and ordered him to stop but he continued to taxi. He tried to take off but didn't have enough fuel.
Gryder is being held in the Spalding County jail charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of obstruction. His arraignment is scheduled Friday.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
