Richmond, R. I. – January 8, 1990

Richmond, Rhode Island – January 8, 1990

     On the morning of January 8, 1990, a Beechcraft Bonanza V-35 with a man and woman aboard took off from Richmond Airport.  When the plane reached an altitude of about 500 feet the passenger side door popped open.  Air pressure prevented the door from opening completely, but the slight opening created a loud hissing noise and loss of cabin heat.  While attempting to rectify the problem, the aircraft crashed in a wooded area near the airport.  Both pilot and passenger escaped with non-life-threatening injuries before the plane caught fire and was destroyed by flames.  

     Source: Providence Journal, “Two Walk Away From Crash”, January 9, 1990, page A-3

Richmond, R. I. – September 6, 1986

Richmond, Rhode Island – September 6, 1986 

     At about 4:45 p.m. on September 6, 1986, a 42-year-old man from Coventry, R. I., was flying over Richmond Airport in an ultralight aircraft when the fabric on the left wing ripped as he came out of a dive.  The pilot aimed the aircraft towards  a wooded area at the edge of the field and released a parachute designed to be deployed in emergencies.  Just as he did so more wing fabric tore away and the chute became entangled in the landing gear.  The plane crashed through the trees and the pilot was critically injured.

     Source:

     Providence Journal Bulletin, “Pilot Is Hurt As Ultralight Plummets 1,000 Feet”, unknown date.

     Providence Sunday Journal, “Two R. I. Ultralight Crashes Bring Debate Closer To Home”, October 19, 1986, C Section, page 1.  

     The Sun, (Westerly, R. I.), “Pilot Saw Wing Cloth Tear, Then Knew He Would Crash”, November 23, 1986, page 10.  

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