An aircraft was spotted flying over Stambaugh Stadium several times during a Youngstown State University football game against Robert Morris University in late September.
This led to an investigation through the YSU Police Department and the Federal Aviation Administration, with concerns of the aircraft’s motives at such a low altitude.
A Youngstown Municipal Court record states Christopher Wilkinson, a Springfield resident, was flying the aircraft during the incident.
The records state Wilkinson is being charged for inducing panic and disorderly conduct “by recklessly causing inconvenience, annoyance or alarm to another by creating a condition that is physically offensive to persons or that presents a risk of physical harm to persons or property by any act that serves no lawful and reasonable purpose of the offender.”
A YSU police report states Wilkinson was flying above the 20-yard line on the north end zone and appeared to stall with 4,000 fans inside the stadium.
According to the report, several spectators approached police officers with concerns regarding the aircraft, asking the officers if skydivers were going to jump out.
Wilkinson appeared for arraignment Friday, Nov. 1, in the Youngstown Municipal Court and pleaded not guilty. He is scheduled to appear in court again Jan. 7.
