Man who tried to hijack plane at La Crosse airport granted conditional release

An Idaho man, who tried to hijack a small airplane at the La Crosse airport, will be released soon, after being treated for mental health issues.

Cody Anderson apologized Wednesday in court for the November 2023 incident, where he crashed a car through an airport gate and made threats to people on a private plane at Colgan Air Services.

He was found not guilty by reason of mental illness.

“I’m sorry for everything, I truly am,” Anderson told Judge Scott Horne by video at a court hearing on Wednesday. He promised to be “a model citizen for the community.”

Anderson reportedly was drunk at the time.

La Crosse County Judge Scott Horne believes the hijacking attempt was a close call.

“We were within minutes of you activating the controls that were necessary to put the plane in motion,” Horne told the court.

The air service company said Anderson’s actions caused extensive property damage and frightened employees.

Horne said Anderson can be released from Mendota to live in Eau Claire, but he is barred from taverns, and must not carry firearms or other weapons.