North Bend man arrested for illegal entry to restricted airport area

(NORTH BEND) A 57-year-old North Bend man, identified by police as Melvin Myhill, was arrested in the first week of September 2025 after alleged illegal access to a restricted general aviation area at the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport. Officials said the incident affected 11 aircraft, with Myhill found inside one of the planes on the runway.

Authorities reported no visible damage to any aircraft, but owners were told to inspect their planes before moving them. The Coos County Airport District (CCAD) said ongoing security checks helped detect the breach quickly.

CCAD Public Information Officer Stephanie Kilmer stressed that safety remains the airport’s top priority, and that airport staff are working with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to review the breach and tighten procedures where needed.

Arrest and charges

Police booked Myhill on 17 total charges, including:

• 11 counts of criminal mischief
• 2 counts of burglary
• 2 counts of unauthorized entry
• 1 count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
• 1 count of trespassing

Airport officials said each affected aircraft owner was notified and advised to complete thorough checks before any movement or flights. Commercial airline operations were not reported as disrupted. People traveling through the airport should expect a visible security presence while the review continues.

Important: Owners were advised not to move aircraft until a careful inspection is completed and documented.

Security context during a law enforcement transition

The arrest came only days after the North Bend City Council voted in late August 2025 to end its Intergovernmental Agreement with the CCAD. That agreement required the North Bend Police Department to respond to TSA requests at the airport within 15 minutes.

City officials cited staffing shortages and budget pressure as reasons for the termination. The city gave the airport district 90 days to renegotiate a new agreement or find other services that meet TSA needs. While the agreement has been canceled, police said they will still respond to emergencies at the airport.

Kilmer said the airport will keep operations safe and stable, including timely TSA callouts, as new arrangements are discussed. According to airport officials, the airport typically sees about four TSA callouts a year, often for routine issues like prohibited items at screening. This case stands out because it involves illegal access to aircraft, which requires a deeper review of perimeter controls, gate systems, and monitoring practices.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, small and mid-sized airports across the United States can face unique pressure during periods of contract changes or staffing shifts. Even brief gaps in coverage or confusion over who responds to a TSA call can stress routine operations. While no physical damage was reported in this case, experts often note that incidents like these test the full chain of prevention, detection, and response—especially when agreements between agencies are changing.

Review and likely focus areas

The CCAD confirmed a coordinated debrief is underway with airport operations, TSA, and FAA counterparts to examine how Myhill reached the restricted area and what steps can reduce the chance of a similar breach.

Potential review topics include:

• Access points and locking mechanisms
• Badge controls and authorization processes for users
• Physical barriers such as fences and gates
• Lighting across ramps and hangars
• Surveillance coverage and monitoring practices

Owners and operators are being encouraged to:

• Report anything unusual immediately
• Lock and secure aircraft when unattended
• Confirm documentation for anyone requesting ramp or hangar access

Response measures and guidance for general aviation owners

For general aviation owners, the guidance is straightforward:

1. Do not move an aircraft that could have been touched or entered until a careful inspection is done and documented.
2. Mechanics and pilots should confirm that switches, fuel caps, control locks, and other safety items are in their expected positions.
3. If anything seems off, report it and pause the aircraft’s return to service until a qualified person clears it.

These steps are intended to ensure safety despite the lack of visible damage.

Public-facing impacts and traveler information

For passengers and the broader public:

• The airport has not flagged any changes to airline schedules.
• Travelers may notice more patrols or random checks while the review continues.
• TSA policy allows local airports to adjust security levels based on current risk.

For official federal guidance, readers can consult the TSA website: Transportation Security Administration.

Community, budget, and policy implications

City officials say any new deal with the CCAD must be clear about:

• Training standards
• Response times
• Funding responsibilities

Airport and city leaders will need to balance costs with the need to keep a strong presence during TSA callouts. If a new agreement isn’t reached within the 90-day window, the CCAD may consider other agencies or private security partners to meet federal requirements.

Analysts and airport officials commonly recommend these basic measures to reduce risk at small regional airports:

• Regular patrols along fences and gates
• Periodic lighting checks
• Clear signage marking restricted zones
• Reliable communication channels between airport staff and local police
• Training for everyone with airfield access (staff, tenants, contractors)

Training and equipment checks are likely outcomes of the review, especially while local policing contracts are in flux.

Key takeaways and next steps

• CCAD officials say existing protocols worked as intended in this case, with quick detection and response that limited the time Myhill spent in the restricted area.
• The absence of visible damage does not end the review; it initiates a standard process to find and close small process gaps.
• The incident increases pressure on local leaders to negotiate a clear, realistic law enforcement arrangement for TSA callouts and routine issues.
• Airport officials asked the community to be patient with any added security steps and to report unusual activity near hangars, gates, or ramps immediately.

This breach underscores that airport security depends on layers: physical barriers, trained people, and fast communication. When one layer is under strain, the others must carry more weight. The coordinated review with TSA and FAA will determine recommended changes and whether additional training or equipment investments are necessary to maintain safety at the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport.