In the small and often overlooked town of Benoit, Mississippi—a community that rests quietly near the banks of the Mississippi River—a woman named Jo Ann Ussery found herself at a life-altering crossroads. The year was 1993, a time before the internet defined everyday life, and before viral stories captured the public’s attention in seconds. But what Jo Ann was about to do would eventually make her one of the most talked-about women in unconventional housing circles across the world.
That year, tragedy struck when her home was catastrophically destroyed. Left without a roof over her head and with two children depending on her, Jo Ann faced an unimaginable burden. Most people, when confronted with such a crisis, might turn to emergency shelters or low-income housing options. But Jo Ann was different. She was determined not to let adversity define her future.
As fate would have it, her brother-in-law—an air traffic controller with an eye for the unusual—suggested something bold, something that would challenge conventional norms and stretch the imagination. He floated the idea of purchasing a decommissioned airplane—a Boeing 727, no less—as the foundation for a brand-new home. To many, this would have sounded like a flight of fancy. But for Jo Ann, it became a beacon of opportunity.
With sheer grit and a modest budget, Jo Ann took a leap of faith. She secured the airplane for just $2,000—a surprisingly low price, made possible because it was no longer suitable for commercial aviation. This 138-foot-long metallic giant, once home to thousands of passengers crisscrossing the skies, was now hers. It was resting in a salvage yard, unused and forgotten, until Jo Ann’s vision gave it a second chance.
Over the next two years, Jo Ann worked tirelessly to transform this aircraft into a home—an endeavor that would ultimately cost less than $30,000 in total. That budget included everything: plumbing, electrical work, insulation, furniture, and cosmetic details. It wasn’t just a shelter—it became a sanctuary. By 1995, the airplane was no longer an industrial artifact. It was a fully functional residence, custom-designed to meet the needs of a family who had endured loss, struggled through recovery, and emerged with hope.
The interior was nothing short of remarkable. Within the sleek aluminum fuselage, Jo Ann carved out three cozy bedrooms, providing both privacy and comfort for herself and her children. A functional and spacious kitchen was added, equipped with all the essentials a family would need to prepare meals together. There was also a living room, warmly decorated with rugs, couches, and personal touches that brought charm to the once-sterile aircraft shell.
But perhaps the most astonishing aspect of the home was the bathroom. Situated in the cockpit, the bathroom featured a tub placed precisely where the pilot’s controls once sat. From the bathtub, one could gaze out through the plane’s iconic front windows, now repurposed into a picture-perfect view of a nearby lake. It was a design choice both poetic and practical—melding luxury with legacy.
For four full years, from 1995 to 1999, Jo Ann and her children lived in the airplane home. During that time, the structure didn’t just serve as a place to sleep—it became a symbol of resilience and reinvention. Every detail, from the emergency exit-turned-back-door to the original flight seats now used as functional furniture, told a story of transformation. Visitors were often astonished not just by the novelty of living in a plane, but by the warmth and livability that Jo Ann had cultivated within its metallic walls.
The home stood as an emblem of creative thinking and sustainable reuse. In an era when environmental consciousness was only beginning to enter the public dialogue, Jo Ann had inadvertently become a pioneer of eco-conscious living. Repurposing an airplane for residential use was not just innovative—it was an act of environmental stewardship, reducing waste and breathing new life into something otherwise destined for the scrap heap.
But beyond the architectural curiosity, Jo Ann’s airplane home resonated on a deeper emotional level. It told the story of a mother who refused to be defeated by circumstance. It spoke of the power of imagination when confronted with ruin. It demonstrated how ordinary people, when backed by courage and creativity, can turn their lives around in extraordinary ways.
Unfortunately, the story took a bittersweet turn in 1999. After deciding to move the aircraft to a different location—perhaps to open it up to tourists or to settle into a new neighborhood—an accident occurred during the transport. The plane was destroyed, marking a premature end to one of the most unique homes in American history.
Yet, even in its physical absence, Jo Ann Ussery’s airplane home left an indelible mark. It inspired architects, dreamers, and DIYers around the world. It encouraged people to think beyond traditional boundaries when designing homes. And it proved that sometimes, the most unconventional ideas are the ones that bring the most joy, meaning, and comfort.
To this day, her story is celebrated in design blogs, sustainability forums, and documentaries that highlight the intersection of innovation and necessity. The image of a pink bathtub inside an airplane cockpit continues to spark the imagination, prompting viewers to rethink what “home” really means.
Jo Ann Ussery may not have set out to become a trailblazer, but through her ingenuity, perseverance, and love for her children, she became a symbol of transformation. From the ashes of destruction, she built not just a home, but a legacy—one that continues to remind us all that home is not about the walls that surround us, but the spirit with which we fill them.
In 1993, Jo Ann Ussery faced a devastating loss when her home in Benoit, Mississippi, was destroyed. As a widow with two children, she needed a new place to live. Traditional housing options were either unaffordable or insufficient for her family’s needs.
Her brother-in-law, Bob Farrow, an air traffic controller, suggested an unconventional solution: converting a decommissioned airplane into a home. Intrigued, Jo Ann visited the Memphis Group’s aircraft salvage yard in Greenwood, Mississippi, where she found a retired Continental Airlines Boeing 727-224, tail number N88701. She purchased the aircraft for $2,000 and spent an additional $4,000 to transport it to her lakeside property in Benoit .
Renovation and Design
Jo Ann invested approximately $24,000 in renovations, bringing the total cost to around $30,000. She undertook most of the remodeling herself, transforming the 138-foot-long aircraft into a 1,500-square-foot home. The interior featured:
Three Bedrooms: Providing ample space for her family.
Living Room and Dining Area: Creating a comfortable communal space.
Fully Equipped Kitchen: Including modern appliances.
Laundry Room: With a washer and dryer.
Master Bathroom: Located in the cockpit, featuring a Jacuzzi tub with views of the lake .
Original elements like the overhead luggage compartments were retained for storage, and one of the airplane’s original lavatories was kept functional. Jo Ann also installed air conditioning and proper insulation to ensure comfort.
Life in “Little Trump”
Jo Ann affectionately named her unique home “Little Trump,” inspired by Donald Trump’s private Boeing 727. From 1995 to 1999, she and her children lived in the airplane home, which became a local attraction and a testament to her creativity and resilience .
The End of an Era
In 1999, Jo Ann decided to move the airplane to a new location to open it for public viewing. Unfortunately, during the short move, the aircraft fell off the transport and was damaged beyond repair .
Jo Ann Ussery’s story is a powerful example of turning adversity into innovation. Her ability to repurpose a decommissioned aircraft into a functional and comfortable home continues to inspire those interested in alternative living solutions.
