Charles Bishop Special Report

TBO.com Keyword:

Welcome

Send us your Feedback
• Make TBO your Home Page
• Advertise with us

JANUARY 5, 2002
SKYSCRAPER HIT
TAMPA - As Charles Bishop piloted a stolen Cessna 172R toward Tampa's skyline, the crew of a U.S Coast Guard helicopter repeatedly signaled the 15-year-old high school freshman to land. Bishop ignored them. After taking off from Clearwater, crossing Tampa Bay and breaching airspace over MacDill Air Force Base, Bishop plowed his plane into the 28th floor of the Bank of America Plaza, 101 E. Kennedy Blvd.

Full story

Bishop's Cessna dangles from the Bank of America building Saturday, Jan. 5, 2002, in Tampa./ AP photo

Breach Of MacDill Airspace Concerns Experts
TAMPA - If a teenager could pilot a Cessna into MacDill Air Force Base's airspace as easily as law enforcement officials said he did Saturday, how safe is the base from attack?

Full story

Sorrow Spreads At Site Of Crash
TAMPA - Onlookers at Saturday's crash watched the scene wondering if the terrorists who attacked New York and Washington in September were renewing their assault on other cities.

Full story

Teen Planned Joy Ride, Owner Says
PALM HARBOR - Charles Bishop seemed to live within himself, a smiling, quiet boy whose only outward spark came from dreams of flight.

Full story

Lawyer Left Corner Office Hour Before Plane Hit
TAMPA - Late Saturday afternoon, lawyer Kevin H. Graham finished his work on an appellate brief, left his office and headed home.

Full story

• NTSB Investigation
Click the link to read the National Transportation Safety Board's narrative of its investigation into Charles Bishop's flight.

• Text Of Bishop's Note
Charles Bishop left behind a letter stating his intent to make the U.S. pay for its "horrific actions."

Related:

• WFLA-TV Report
Watch WFLA, News Channel 8's breaking news report moments after the plane struck the Bank of America building.

• Eyewitness Account

As TBO.com producer Jim Collins arrived for work, he witnessed the plane hit the skyscraper and the trailing U.S. Coast Guard helicopter pull away. He provided first first-hand accounts for TBO.com, News Channel 8 and MSNBC.

• WFLA-TV Wrap-Up
A day after the plane crash, details on the student pilot and his suicide letter surfaced.

Related:

• 911 Emergency
Listen to the 911 emergency calls by witnesses describing the initial scene of the plane crash.

• Air Traffic Control
Air traffic control officials talk about Bishop's flight. The tapes were released by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Related:

• Photo gallery
Click through a Flash photo gallery of the scene on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 5, 2002.

• Locator Map
See where the accident occurred in relation to major downtown streets and waterways.

• Interactive Map
Click on the yellow buildings in downtown Tampa to learn more about its owner and tenants.

	More Stories

• Nov. 13, 2002 Suicidal Pilot Not Seen As Threat, MacDill Says
• Nov. 12, 2002 Report: Teen Nearly Hit MacDill Tower
• April 24, 2002 Response To Stolen Plane Was `By The Book'
• April 23, 2002 No Effort Was Made To Radio Teen Pilot
• April 17, 2002 Teen Pilot's Family Sues Drug Maker
• Mar. 13, 2002 Final Report Details Boy's Suicide Flight
• Feb. 24, 2002 Fla. Seeks Funds For Airport Security
• Feb. 17, 2002 An Air Of Suspicion
• Feb. 07, 2002 `I Will Make You Pay!'
• Jan. 31, 2002 Crash Not Suicide, Pilot's Family Says
• Jan. 23, 2002 Caffeine Only Drug Found In Bishop's Body
• Jan. 17, 2002 Let MacDill Be Judge On Needs, Readers Argue
• Jan. 15, 2002 FDLE Agents Review State's Small Airports
• Jan. 15, 2002 Congressman Checks MacDill Defenses, Needs
• Jan. 15, 2002 NTSB: No Mechanical Failure In Plane That Hit Skyscraper
• Jan. 13, 2002 The Terror Generation
• Jan. 12, 2002 Bishop Family Clings To Memories
• Jan. 12, 2002 Charles Bishop And His Final Flight For Fame
• Jan. 11, 2002 High Flying Standards
• Jan. 11, 2002 Feeding Frenzy Or Good Reporting?
• Jan. 10, 2002 We Look For Answers In Vain
• Jan. 10, 2002 Boy Pilot's Suicide Rekindles Drug Talk
• Jan. 9, 2002 The Lure Of The Heavens For Better And For Worse
• Jan. 9, 2002 Tampa Crash Spotlights Gaps In Air Defense
• Jan. 9, 2002 Flier Craved Limelight, Told Pal To Watch News
• Jan. 8, 2002 Flight School Says Bishop Was Trusted
• Jan. 8, 2002 Workers Face Bruised Building
• Jan. 8, 2002 Teachers Did Not See Freshman As A Loner
• Jan. 8, 2002 Firefighters Find Scene Incredible
• Jan. 7, 2002 Spotting Dangerous Pilots Not Easy Task
• Jan. 7, 2002 Pilot Swayed By Sept. 11
• Jan. 7, 2002 Freshman Led Solitary Life With Terrier, Students Say
• Jan. 6, 2002 Breach Of MacDill Airspace Concerns Security Experts
• Jan. 6, 2002 Sorrow Spreads At Site Of Crash
• Jan. 6, 2002 Lawyer Left His Corner Office An Hour Before Aircraft Hit
• Jan. 6, 2002 Teen Planned Joy Ride, Owner Says
• Jan. 6, 2002 Skyscraper Hit

Return to Top