Meet Jo Ann Ussery, the Mississippi woman who turned a decommissioned Boeing 727 airplane into a stunning, full-size family home. Her story of creativity, resilience, and innovation continues to inspire the world.
From Tragedy to Innovation
When a natural disaster destroyed her home in 1993, Mississippi resident Jo Ann Ussery found herself at rock bottom. A widow and mother of two, she needed an affordable and safe place to live. What she built instead became one of the most remarkable homes in the world — a luxurious Boeing 727 airplane house.
Long before tiny homes and van life became trends, Jo Ann’s idea stood out as bold and visionary. Her story proves that even in the face of loss, creativity can turn the impossible into something beautiful.
The Birth of an Unusual Idea
After losing her home, Jo Ann explored all her options — trailers, mobile homes, even renting. But everything was too expensive for her budget. Then her brother-in-law Bob, an air traffic controller, suggested something unusual:
“Why not live in an airplane?”
At first, the idea sounded crazy. But soon, Jo Ann realized it made perfect sense. A plane is durable, weather-resistant, and spacious. Together, they searched for a retired aircraft, and before long, they found the perfect one — a decommissioned Boeing 727 that had once served as a passenger jet.
Building “Little Trump”
The entire plane, including transport, cost just $2,000. Inspired by Donald Trump’s private jet, Jo Ann humorously named her new home “Little Trump.”
With a renovation budget of under $30,000, Jo Ann began transforming the 138-foot aircraft into a cozy and functional home. The plane had 76 windows and nearly 1,500 square feet of interior space. She positioned it carefully on her property so that the nose extended over a lake, creating breathtaking water views.
To ensure stability, the tail section was supported by a strong concrete foundation. Then came the hard work — gutting the inside, removing the seats, and replacing the cabin with comfortable home furnishings.
Inside the Boeing 727 Home
The result was nothing short of incredible. Jo Ann’s airplane home featured:
- Three bedrooms for her and her children
- A living room with full-sized furniture
- A modern kitchen with an oven and phone line
- A laundry room with a washer and dryer
- And a cockpit bathroom with a soaking tub overlooking the lake
The cockpit bathroom became the home’s highlight — a peaceful retreat that made Jo Ann feel as if she were floating above the water.
To make the space livable, she added insulation, installed a strong air conditioning system, and upgraded the flooring. She also kept some original airplane details like overhead bins and lavatory fixtures, blending aviation design with home comfort.
Living Her Dream
From 1995 to 1999, Jo Ann and her two children lived happily in their airplane home. Her creativity attracted visitors from around the world, and soon she opened it as a small museum — inspiring countless others to think differently about housing.
She proved that with determination, imagination, and a bit of courage, even something destined for the scrapyard could be transformed into a dream home.
A Tragic Ending
Sadly, when Jo Ann decided to move the plane to a new property, tragedy struck. During transportation, the aircraft slipped off its carrier and was completely destroyed.
Even so, her story lives on. Jo Ann’s Boeing 727 home remains one of the most iconic examples of alternative housing innovation — a symbol of resilience and the endless possibilities of creative thinking.
A Legacy That Inspires
Today, as housing prices continue to rise and people seek more sustainable and affordable living options, Jo Ann Ussery’s story feels more relevant than ever. Her airplane home wasn’t just a shelter — it was a message:
“Home isn’t about walls or bricks. It’s about what you create from what you have.”
Jo Ann’s journey from heartbreak to innovation continues to inspire dreamers, designers, and builders across the world — reminding us that with passion and perseverance, even the sky is not the limit.