June hearing set for pilot charged in low YSU stadium flight case

A hearing is scheduled in Youngstown Municipal Court next month to consider suppressing evidence in a two-and-a-half-year-old case involving a private plane that authorities say flew close to the press box during a YSU football game at Stambaugh Stadium.
Judge Carla Baldwin set a June 2 court date for Christopher Wilkinson who faces misdemeanor charges of unsafe aircraft operation, inducing panic, and disorderly conduct.
In November 2019, authorities charged Wilkinson after he allegedly flew a single-engine Cessna close to the press box and stadium lights while fans were watching the September 28 game against Robert Morris.
Prosecutors say Wilkinson flew well below 1000 feet above ground level.
In March, Judge Baldwin dismissed a motion to dismiss the case filed by Wilkinson's lawyer who says it should've been up to the Federal Aviation Administration to prosecute Wilkinson, not the city.
According to FAA records, Wilkinson is a commercial pilot licensed to fly private planes and land multi-engine aircraft.