Robert K. Preston (born c. 1954) is an American infamous for landing a helicopter on the White House lawn. The Bell 206 of Canadian Helicopters Robinson Helicopter Company (USA) R44, a four seat development of the R22 A helicopter is an aircraft which is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors consisting of two or more rotor blades. ... North façade of the White House, seen from Pennsylvania Avenue. ... For other uses, see Lawn (disambiguation). ...

At 2 A.M. On February 17, 1974, Preston, a U.S. Army private, stole a United States Army helicopter from Fort Meade, Maryland, flew it to Washington, D.C., and hovered for six minutes over the White House before descending on the south lawn, about 100 yards from the West Wing. There was no initial attempt from the Executive Protective Service to shoot the helicopter down, and he later took off and was chased by two Maryland State Police helicopters. Preston forced one of the police helicopters down through his maneuvering of the helicopter, and then returned to the White House. This time, as he hovered above the south grounds, the Executive Protective Service fired at him with shotguns and submachine guns. Preston was injured slightly, and landed his helicopter. The 12-hour clock is a timekeeping convention in which the 24 hours of the day are divided into two periods called ante meridiem (AM, Latin for before noon) and post meridiem (PM, Latin for after noon). Each period consists of 12 hours numbered 12, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... February 17 is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... The United States Army is the largest branch of the United States armed forces and has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... Fort Meade is a census-designated place located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. ... Nickname: DC, The District Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location of Washington, D.C., in relation to the states Maryland and Virginia Coordinates: Federal District District of Columbia  - Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D)  - City Council Chairperson: Vincent C. Gray (D) Ward 1: Jim Graham (D) Ward 2: Jack Evans... North façade of the White House, seen from Pennsylvania Avenue. ... Secret Service redirects here. ... The Law Enforcemnt Arm in the State of Maryland. ... A pump-action and two semi-automatic action Remington 1100 shotguns, 20 boxes of shotgun shells, a clay trap, and three boxes of clay pigeons. ... The MP5, a famous submachine gun, sees widespread use amongst those that can afford it. ...

At the time of the incident, President Richard Nixon was travelling in Florida, and First Lady Pat Nixon was in Indianapolis, Indiana visiting their sick daughter. Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913 - April 22, 1994) was the thirty-sixth (1953–1961) Vice President, and the thirty-seventh (1969–1974) President of the United States. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Pat Nixon Patricia Ryan Nixon (March 16, 1912 - June 22, 1993) was the wife of Richard Nixon and First Lady of the United States. ... Location in the state of Indiana Coordinates: County Marion Founded 1821 Mayor Bart Peterson (D) Area    - City 963. ...

Preston was a 20-year-old Private First Class in the U.S. Army, stationed in Panama City, Florida. Although he was training to become a helicopter pilot, he abandoned the training due to "deficiency in the instrument phase." US Military In the U.S. Army, Private First Class is the third lowest enlisted rank, just above Private and below Corporal or Specialist. ... Location in Bay County Coordinates: Country United States State Florida County Bay County Incorporated 1909 Mayor Lauren DeGeorge Area    - City 69. ... An aviator is a person who flies aircraft for pleasure or as a profession. ...

It has been suggested that news reports of Preston's actions inspired Samuel Byck to attempt to crash a passenger airplane into the White House on February 22, 1974 (for instance by the 2004 film dramatization of Byck's attempt, The Assassination of Richard Nixon). Samuel Byck Samuel Joseph Byck (January 30, 1930 – February 22, 1974) was an unemployed former tire salesman who attempted to hijack a plane from Baltimore-Washington International Airport on February 22, 1974. ... An Air France Boeing 777, a modern passenger jet. ... February 22 is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... The Assassination of Richard Nixon is a 2004 drama film, directed by Niels Mueller. ...

External links

• Public Report of the White House Security Review (See the section entitled "Air Incursions and Attempted Air Incursions".)