TIA Security Gate, Fence Damaged During Police Chase

<p>Tulsa International Airport closed one of its runways Wednesday morning after a stolen utility truck being chased by troopers crashed through a security fence gate and drove across an active runway.</p>

Wednesday, May 24th 2017, 9:11 am

By: News On 6

TIA Security Gate, Fence Damaged During Police Chase

Tulsa International Airport closed one of its runways Wednesday morning after a stolen utility truck being chased by troopers crashed through a security fence gate and drove across an active runway.

TIA spokesperson Alexis Higgins says the runway had to be closed so workers could look for debris that may have been left behind when the ONG truck crossed the runway.

TIA reopened the west runway a little after 10:30 a.m.

Our west runway has reopened. All runways are now available for aircraft operations.
— Tulsa Airport (@tulsaairports) May 24, 2017

She says the truck entered airport property by crashing through a security gate south of the Air and Space Museum on the north end of TIA.

The truck's driver then made a u-turn, crossing the runway for a second time, then knocking down a nearby security fence and getting on 36th Street North, heading west toward Highway 75.

OHP spokesperson Dwight Durant said a trooper chasing the truck saw a commercial airliner about to take off so he used his cruiser to try to spin out the truck. Durant said it's OHP policy not to try a tactical vehicle intervention maneuver on a truck but the trooper believed he had no choice because of the threat to all the people on that airplane. The trooper tried the maneuver twice but the truck kept going.

Records show ExpressJet Flight 3946 to Houston left TIA at 6:18 a.m. and United Flight 1872 left at 6:27 a.m.

Higgins said the chase and security breach did not cause any delays for commercial air service at Tulsa International Airport.

She says the truck entered airport property by crashing through a security gate south of the Air and Space Museum on the north end of TIA.

The truck's driver then made a u-turn, crossing the runway for a second time, then knocking down a nearby security fence and getting on 36th Street North, heading west toward Highway 75.

Records show ExpressJet Flight 3946 to Houston left TIA at 6:18 a.m. and United Flight 1872 left at 6:27 a.m.

Higgins said the chase and security breach did not cause any delays for commercial air service at Tulsa International Airport.

","published":"2017-05-24T14:11:36.000Z","updated":"2017-05-24T17:41:12.000Z","summary":"

Tulsa International Airport closed one of its runways Wednesday morning after a stolen utility truck being chased by troopers crashed through a security fence gate and drove across an active runway.

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