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Joy-Riding Jet Thief Kills Self in Cockpit

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Associated Press

A flight mechanic stole a private Learjet from Virginia on Wednesday and took it on a 1,600-mile joyride to Denver, then killed himself as authorities approached, officials said.

Mike Christiansen, 24, was found dead at the controls moments after he was talked through a landing at Stapleton International Airport, authorities said. They said he was not a licensed pilot.

They said they did not know why Christiansen, who was alone in the plane, killed himself or where he got the gun. The FBI and Federal Aviation Administration were investigating.

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