FAA Lifts Pilot’s License for Near-Miss of Reagan Copter : Army Says He Might Be AWOL GI

The Federal Aviation Administration today revoked the license of the pilot who flew a small airplane dangerously close to President Reagan’s helicopter as it neared his ranch outside Santa Barbara, and the Army said the man might be an AWOL soldier.

A spokesman at the Army’s Fort Lewis in Washington state said the Army was attempting to locate the pilot because he might be an AWOL soldier from the fort.

George Polich, the spokesman, said a Pvt. Ralph William Myers, 32, of Bingen, Wash., was declared absent without leave on Aug. 3.

Earlier, the Secret Service said no criminal charges would be filed against Myers, who flew his Piper Archer within several hundred feet of Reagan’s helicopter Thursday afternoon, forcing the chopper pilot to take evasive action.

Dropped Contact Lens

According to one report, Myers told investigators he and his passenger were searching the floor of their plane for his dropped contact lenses when the plane strayed into the restricted airspace.

Myers and the unidentified passenger, whom Fitzwater identified as the co-pilot, were released early today after being interviewed by Secret Service agents from Los Angeles at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, where they landed.

He said the case was still under investigation, however, by U.S. Atty. Robert Bonner of Los Angeles.

Fitzwater, asked if any changes in security at the ranch were contemplated, said he had not discussed this with the Secret Service, but added: “You can’t close down the skies. It’s America; you can fly anywhere.”

Fitzwater said of Reagan, “At no time was he in any danger.”

Different Opinion

However, White House Chief of Staff Howard H. Baker Jr. said: “I suppose there’s a fair amount of danger when a plane comes that close to a helicopter.”

Baker said he spoke with Reagan today and the President “did not seem particularly upset” about the incident.

First Lady Nancy Reagan flew to the ranch separately, joining the President to begin their 25-day California vacation.

At its closest point, the plane was 200 to 300 feet in front of the helicopter and about 150 feet lower--within the distance classified as a near-collision by the Federal Aviation Administration, Fitzwater said.

The airplane pilot, according to CBS-TV, told investigators that he was tired, had taken out his contact lenses and handed them to the passenger, who dropped them.

‘Cockamamie’ Story

The plane inadvertently strayed into restricted airspace over the President’s ranch as the two searched the floor of the aircraft for the lenses, CBS said, citing an unidentified FAA official who termed the story “cockamamie.”

Secret Service spokesman Rich Adams, in Washington, said he would not confirm the account.

Fitzwater said the pilot of the presidential helicopter, Marine Corps Col. Michael Glenn, did not believe the two aircraft were on a collision course at any time.

Glenn “initiated a gentle climb and right-hand turn” as a precautionary measure after seeing the approaching plane, Fitzwater said, adding that the maneuver was “not noticeable to any of us aboard the aircraft.”

The plane had been rented to Myers by a Washington state firm, Vancouver Aviation.

Planned Return Trip

Myers had been due to return to Vancover, Wash., today, according to Marianne Fulman, chief pilot of the firm.