Details emerge about suspect in airport incident
MELBOURNE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Nishal Sankat was a part-time student at the Florida Institute of Technology, expected to graduate in May 2019.
Investigators say the motives behind his attempt to steal the plane at the Orlando Melbourne International Airport are still unclear.
Sankat’s birthplace is Trinidad, but authorities say he entered the U.S. through Canada, where he had dual citizenship. Officials now say he’s in the U.S. legally, through his passport. He was studying aviation management at the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT).
“It really is a shame. FIT is a fantastic school; it almost degrades the entire school,” said FIT freshman Ryan Hutchison.
Authorities say Sankat has a commercial pilot’s license but not the kind that would enable him to fly the plane he jumped into Thursday.
“He was not type-rated in this aircraft. It takes a lot of training, a lot of simulation training,” said Orlando Melbourne International Airport spokesperson Lori Booker.
Sankat has no criminal history. He has a few traffic violations. Authorities searched his car and home Thursday afternoon but found no weapons or explosives.
Those who live nearby are still shaken.
“Oh it's rather scary. It's too close to home,” said neighbor Julie Pellhum.
The FBI’s Terrorism Task Force is still investigating, but at this point, “there is no evidence to indicate a connection to terrorism,” said Melbourne Police Chief David Gillespie.
Sankat’s roommate stands by that.
“There's nothing like that going on here. There never was. Cops checked it out. There's nothing here. There's no news here for you.”
FIT says Sankat had some flight training in the past. They say they’re working closely with authorities on this case.