Security measures at Southern Illinois Airport have been increased after an SIUC aviation student allegedly took a University aircraft without authorization last month, the SIUC flight services director says.

Todd McCutchan, a 20-year-old SIUC student from Evansville, Ind., is charged with two counts of felony theft after allegedly stealing a twin-engine Cessna 310 on Dec. 15.

Since the incident, increased security measures have been taken to ensure that procedures already in effect will be followed more closely, Reeder said. The planes, which in the past were tied down with rope because of the wind, will now be tied down with cable and with padlocks, Reeder said.

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Reeder said additional security procedures will ensure that all airplane cabin doors are locked. However, during the summer, the planes need ventilation and cannot be completely closed, he said.

All we can do is take all appropriate precautions, Reeder said. You can only go so far with security.

McCutchan allegedly flew the aircraft to Parkersburg, W. Va., where he was apprehended by authorities, Reeder said.

Reeder said McCutchan was contacted by radar authorities from the Federal Aviation Administration Control Center in Kansas City, Mo., once he was off the ground. McCutchan allegedly told authorities that he had been hijacked and asked for directions to the East Coast.

McCutchan was allegedly tracked on radar during the entire flight and was arrested in West Virginia. He was returned to authorities in Illinois and is currently free on bail, police reports say.

McCutchan was familiar with the airport and the aircraft, which was the same plane he flew for his multi-engine certification, Reeder said. Because flight students were using the planes when the incident occurred, the airplane was on a ramp and not secured in a hangar, Reeder said.

McCutchan is charged with two counts of felony theft, each alleging a different value of the plane, Jackson County States Attorney Mike Wepsiec said. Once the value of the plane has been determined, one of the charges will be dropped, he said.

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McCutchan pled not guilty to the two counts of felony theft at a preliminary hearing on Jan. 9, Brocton Lockwood, McCutchan’s attorney said.

Media reports have stated that Lockwood argued that McCutchan cannot be convicted of theft because he never intended to keep the plane.

I can prove that he’s not guilty, Lockwood said.

In addition to the theft charges, McCutchan has been charged with two misdemeanors:consuming alcohol within eight hours of operating an aircraft and operating an aircraft while under the influence of alcohol, Wepsiec said.

McCutchan will enter a plea on the misdemeanors at the next court appearance, which has not yet been scheduled, Lockwood said.

In addition to facing charges from the state, McCutchan may also face charges from the Federal Aviation Administration and SIUC, Wepsiec said.

McCutchan is still eligible to enroll at SIUC, Terry Huffman, coordinator of Student Judicial Affairs, said. Huffman said he was unable to comment on possible charges against McCutchan.

Although McCutchan is currently eligible to enroll at the University, disciplinary measures may be taken after a formal hearing by the SIUC Judicial Review Board, David NewMyer, aviation management and flight department chairman, said.

From my perspective, I suspect he will no longer be able to fly at SIU, NewMyer said.

The date for the judicial review board hearing has not yet been scheduled.

McCutchan could not be reached for comment.