Pilot, 25, is charged in airplane joyride (Grand theft aircraft)

Ann arbor News ^ | 3-8-05 | Amalie Nash

[Wally_Kalbacken]

I would think so - but this guy was up for his minimal proficiency hours. I was dubious at first hearing it - but there are photos documenting the wreckage in the FBO. I don't know if the pilot flew again - it certainly would have taken brass to fly from that field again, since he was quite notorious.

[snapperjk]

The accused pilot, Thomas Robert Pyle,

CORRECTION; Thomas Robert 'Gomer' Pyle

[Dashing Dasher]

I heard....
Those who have, those who will - and those who will AGAIN!

;-)

Dasher

[Dashing Dasher]

Guessing => Luscombe

[pad 34]

Flying Ampibious is even worse.

Water, no Wheels.

Land, Wheels.

Don't get it Wrong

[CarryaBigStick]

Nope. Look at post #58 and try again - unless ya want me to spoil the fun. :)

[Dashing Dasher]

C120....

[CarryaBigStick]

Even some fixed gear pilots manage to land gear up. :(

[CarryaBigStick]

Correct! A cookie is now in your temporary internet files - actually quite a few probably.

[Dashing Dasher]

You mean - like this?!

[CarryaBigStick]

Oh yeah, I've seen that guy. He does things a little differently, doesn't he?

[Dashing Dasher]

He's got larger "stones" than most.

[Not A Snowbird]

I tell you some gals get all the luck!

I missed the call to launch the strike on Libya by one day, too. Now, that's one I wouldn't have minded!

[IonImplantGuru]

Love that photo!

Note the chalk outline of the Cessna, ala homicide detective's body outlines. Also like the Ford Woodie in the lower left; I had one just like it back in highschool in the early 60's.

[Chieftain]

Reminds me of the lance corporal who swiped a jet at El Toro and took it for a late night joy ride around Orange County. At least the Marine landed it properly, more than I can say for this dude...

I must confess to having something to do with that Lance Corporal who stole the A4M. He was my assistant (A-duty) when I was Staff Duty Officer one night in El Toro. We had a lengthy conversation during our tour of duty that night I told him how I had discussed the same idea (while drinking lots of beer) years before with my fellow snuffies in Iwakuni.

When the story was on the news about a Marine stealing an aircraft, I knew exactly who it was! He was a good kid that the CG was impressed with his ability to fly the Skyhawk successfully, but still hammered him!

[Not A Snowbird]

Really?!

So it was an A-4. I couldn't remember, I only remember the midnight phone call from the Provost Marshal.

[narby]

I seem to remember a story floating around Luke AFB in the 70's that some enlisted guy had stolen an F-100 some years before. The story was that he'd been shot down after they thought he was threatening to crash it somewhere.

Don't know if it's true.

[nicollo]

dead, here's the NY Times citation on your dad's story:

TAVERN'S PATRON ARRIVES IN PLANE; Aircraft Mechanic Lands 'Borrowed' Plane in Street
The New York Times. New York Times (1857-Current file). New York, N.Y.: Oct 1, 1956. pg. 29, 1 pgs

Abstract (Document Summary),
A man flew an airplane to a tavern on St. Nicholas Avenue early yesterday.

I'll try and get the full text next time I'm at the Library.

Btw, not a few articles from the period I searched, 1949-1959, of NYC street landings (searching "street" and "plane"):

TAVERN'S PATRON ARRIVES IN PLANE
The New York Times; New York Times (1857-Current file); Oct 1, 1956; pg. 29, 1

2. DC-6'S MOTOR FAILS
Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.; New York Times (1857-Current file); Feb 11, 1952; pg. 1, 2

3. Dutch Plane Lands on Street
New York Times (1857-Current file); Jun 10, 1951; pg. 28, 1

4. Pilot Lands Plane in Street
New York Times (1857-Current file); Jan 9, 1949; pg. 27, 1

5. Navy Plane Lands in Street
Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.; New York Times (1857-Current file); Jun 11, 1947; pg. 8, 1

6. Plane Lands on City Street
New York Times (1857-Current file); Mar 25, 1947; pg. 35, 1

[dead]

Man, that's great! Thanks for finding that! If you find an actual article, please let me know.

[nicollo]

Here's a .pdf of the NY Times article: Aircraft Mechanic Lands "Borrowed" Plane in Street (Oct 1, 1956)

Enjoy!