Utah Pilot who Crashed Plane in Idaho Makes Alford Plea

SANDPOINT, Idaho (AP) — A Utah pilot who crashed a plane at a northern Idaho airport has entered an Alford plea to reckless operation of an aircraft. The Bonner County Daily Bee reports that 56-year-old Donald Moss Muirhead of Orem entered the plea Thursday.

Under an Alford plea, a defendant doesn't admit guilt, but acknowledges that prosecutors have enough evidence for a conviction. Muirhead was charged with flying under the influence of prescription medication after the Piper Aerostar went off the end of the Sandpoint airport runway and crashed on Sept. 23.

Muirhead and his two passengers weren't injured. As part of the agreement, Muirhead will be given a suspended 30-day jail sentence and have his pilot's license suspended for a year. He must also pay $2,500 for damage at the airport.