Stolen plane crash: ILM Director says too early to predict security changes

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — After an airport employee at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport stole and crashed a plane on Friday night, questions were raised whether something similar could happen in the Cape Fear.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the Wilmington International Airport serves just a fraction of the number of customers the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport does.

ILM Director Julie Wilsey says size does not equal safety.

Wilsey says the airport is compliant with all TSA regulations, and will follow any recommended changes.

She also says unlike Sea-Tac, ground service agents like the one who stole the plane are not employees of ILM.

“It varies from airport to airport. For example at ILM, those are airline employees. So that would be, they have their own security program through the TSA,” said Wilsey.

Wilsey says she believes it’s too early to tell whether this incident will impact any security procedures.