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Teen barnstorms deputies
By LISA MARCHESONI
marchesoni@dnj.com

Watching a 16-year-old pilot swoop down low over patrol cruisers and soar just above treetops Tuesday night in Eagleville seemed like watching a spectacular air show, a sheriff's deputy said.

Pilot Nathan Wyatt Frost of Rockvale allegedly stole a red and white $60,000 Cherokee Piper from owner Hank Williamson, manager of Shelbyville Municipal Airport, buzzed houses in Eagleville for about 30 minutes and abandoned the aircraft at Murfreesboro Airport's runway about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, said Deputy Scott Daniel.

"The kid was a good pilot," Daniel said.

Frost remains in juvenile detention after Daniel charged him with endangering the lives of Eagleville residents, the deputy and Sgt. Chris Kauffman.

Detective Maj. Chuck Thomas said Federal Aviation Administration investigators interviewed Frost at the sheriff's office and temporarily impounded the plane.

Williamson said he retrieved the plane Wednesday afternoon. "It's in good shape, no harm," Williamson said.

Daniel reported an argument with another youth over Frost's girlfriend possibly prompted him to buzz homes with the plane.

Frost flew the airplane to Eagleville over his girlfriend's home on Webb Lane, Daniel said. He landed at Shelbyville's airport but departed again when he saw police officers waiting for him.

He returned to Eagleville where he buzzed houses, forcing a family to leave their home. Many citizens complained.

Kauffman and Daniel responded to Eagleville.

"A small plane was heading down 41A straight at him (Kauffman)," Daniel said. "He buzzed over our heads."

Frost guided the plane in circles and side angles, swooping up and down, toward the officers and "right over the top of us," the deputy reported.

When Frost headed north, Daniel notified Murfreesboro Police. Frost landed the small aircraft at the end of the runway and sprinted away.

Police Sgt. Sam Campbell said officers set up a perimeter around the airport.

"We were able to conduct a successful track with our K-9 team of Greg Hale and Billy Lee (canine) with the assistance of Officer Trey Mansfield running rear guard," Campbell said. "The dog and K-9 team drove him into the open. From the track, we were able to track the suspect and drive him out into the open at the Jack in the Box at Memorial."

Thomas said Frost was taken into custody without any problems.

"He was jacked out of the box," Thomas said.

Frost apparently had flown solo before, the major said.

"We were glad he didn't get hurt or hurt anybody," Thomas said. "From what everybody said, he was a skilled pilot. He kept control."

Originally published February 2, 2006