An individual who accessed the secure airside area at Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (KOTH) in North Bend was arrested after entering multiple aircraft inside a hangar. The incident took place on September 3, and 11 aircraft were affected.
Officers from North Bend Police and airport operations staff conducted a search of the airport and found North Bend resident Melvin Myhill inside one of the aircraft. Police arrested Myhill and charged him with 11 counts of criminal mischief in the first degree; two counts of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle; two counts of burglary in the second degree; one count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle; and one count of criminal trespass in the second degree.
According to the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport administration, “Following his arrest, Myhill was released from custody and transported to Bay Area Hospital for evaluation.” The administration has notified owners of the aircraft, who were “advised to conduct thorough checks and inspections before moving their aircraft.”
An investigation is ongoing and includes the North Bend Police Department, FAA, TSA, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Coos Aviation FBO. According to an airport spokeswoman, "The Southwest Oregon Regional Airport's security plan is on file with the TSA. It is reviewed and approved every year as part of our certification process. In the meantime, an internal review is also underway. Maintaining safety and security at the airport is of the highest priority."