Feds take over case of SUV on Philadelphia runway


March 12, 2012 at 2:06p.m.

Feds take over case of SUV on Philadelphia runway

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The case against a man accused of driving an SUV onto the runway at Philadelphia International Airport is being transferred to federal court.

A federal criminal complaint charges 24-year-old Kenneth Mazik with disrupting airport service, damaging the facility and endangering safety.

Police say Mazik drove his sport utility vehicle through a fence and sped up and down two airport runways on March 1 before being surrounded and apprehended.

Authorities say the incident was unrelated to terrorism, but it caused pilots and air traffic controllers to scramble. It affected dozens of aircraft.

Mazik had been charged by the city district attorney’s office with crimes including driving under the influence and fleeing police. Those charges were withdrawn today.

Mazik remains in custody. His attorney did not immediately return a request for comment.