Mansfield, Massachusetts – May 18, 1963
On May 18, 1963, an airshow was in progress at the Mansfield Airport. A Cessna airplane that had been partaking in the show was briefly left unattended. At that time two 20-year-old men climbed inside and started the motor and attempted to take off with the plane. The aircraft sped across the field at high speed barely missing another aircraft. It continued on and hopped a small gully where it nosed over and buckled.
One of the men was critically injured, the other had serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The men claimed they thought the plane was parked for demonstration purposes and thought it was allowable for them to climb inside. The “pilot” stated that he touched a button and the engine suddenly started and the plane took off across the field. Owners of the plane stated the plane was not on display, and that five procedures were necessary to perform before the engine could be started – not the pressing of a single button.
The wrecked plane was worth $8,500.
Sergeant Edward Silney of the Mansfield Police told reporters that charges would be field against the men.
Source:
The Attleboro Sun, “Police Say Charges Pending Against Pair”, May 21, 1963
