Ruskin gyrocopter pilot gets 4 months in jail

<p>The man who landed a gyrocopter on the lawn of the Capitol building last year narrowly avoided a serious catastrophe, according to prosecutors.</p><p>A court filing Friday alleges Douglas Hughes, an activist who flew his gyrocopter from Florida to D.C. in order to protest campaign finance laws, came within 1,400 yards of a Delta flight taking off from Reagan National Airport.&nbsp;</p><p>Prosecutors say a slight deviation in the flight path of either craft could have led to a lethal collision. They want Hughes to serve jail time as a deterrent to any other political protesters contemplating a similar stunt.</p><p>Hughes agreed to plead guilty to a felony last November, provided prosecutors only asked for a maximum sentence of 10 months. However, his defense argues&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avw4HkAYk94" target="_blank">Hughes</a>&nbsp;shouldn&#39;t spend any time in jail since his flight resulted in no injury or property damage.</p><p>Hughes&#39; sentencing is set for April 13. The judge&#39;s decision could affect&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWe8wRem2yU" target="_blank">Hughes&#39; plans</a>&nbsp;to run for Congress; the Democrat wants to challenge Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz.</p><p><i>This video includes images from Getty Images and clips from the&nbsp;</i><i><a href="http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/gyrocopter-pilot-doug-hughes-to-run-against-rep-debbie-wasserman-schultz/2258888" target="_blank">Tampa Bay Times</a></i><i>&nbsp;and&nbsp;</i><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_pIiMGSafg" target="_blank">WJLA</a></i><i>.</i></p>