Talk about a Bad Day- Crash Your Stearman & Get arrested....

Warbirdnerd · **Joined:** Fri Apr 30, 2004 7:34 pm **Posts:** 2941

Quote:

FREMONT, Mich. (WZZM) -Many of his friends and associates say Paul Hankins of Fremont is the best pilot they know.

"Probably been in the air with him 100 times," says friend Larry DeMars. "He was head pilot for Gerber Products for 29 years."

But Hankins' World War II vintage biplane is now in pieces and he is facing possible charges of flying while under the influence.

The 67-year-old pilot and another man were aboard the two seater practicing landings and take-offs at the Fremont Municipal Airport Friday afternoon when the plane crashed.

"He lost altitude and the plane did crash into a tree," says Michigan State Police Trooper Misty Long-Birgy. "Alcohol is a factor."

According to Federal Aviation Administration regulations, pilots may not attempt to operate an aircraft if they have a 0.04% blood alcohol content; half of what is allowed to operate a motor vehicle. Regulations also prohibit pilots from drinking eight hours before a flight.

Police would not reveal the pilot's blood alcohol content or when they suspect he had consumed his last alcoholic beverage.

Hankins was taken to jail in handcuffs.

"I don't know what happened here," says DeMars. "I can't believe it. He never would even take a beer."

The pilot has some bumps and cuts, but otherwise the two men in the plane were not hurt in the crash. No one on the ground were injured and no buildings were damaged. The aircraft was demolished.

Found it here:
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/1670 ... hing-plane

jet1 · **Posted:** Tue May 31, 2011 9:37 pm

...all you need is some wood putty and glue and of course duct tape!

muddyboots · **Posted:** Tue May 31, 2011 9:49 pm

that'll buff right out.

Dan Jones · **Posted:** Tue May 31, 2011 10:49 pm

That's hardly demolished. It'll need a little mending is all...

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Tue May 31, 2011 11:16 pm

For Jeff:

It would've buffed right out if it had been an N3N.

Glad everyone survived.

Ryan

Fouga23 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:20 am

I'll give him $5 for it.

agent86 · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 3:57 am **Posts:** 926

i picked a bad day to quit sniffing glue(lloyd bridges,airplane)

maxum96 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 01, 2011 12:57 pm

whistlingdeath77 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 01, 2011 3:08 pm

agent86 wrote:

i picked a bad day to quit sniffing glue(lloyd bridges,airplane)

Do you like gladiators? :lol:

Obergrafeter · **Posted:** Wed Jun 01, 2011 3:49 pm

Wreck the Stearman, go to jail, but the important question is.........did he spill his drink? At least it wasn't a N3N. Could have been a lot worse!

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Wed Jun 01, 2011 6:39 pm

Fouga23 wrote:

I'll give him $5 for it.

Oh no..... It's worth at least a 12 pack!

Fouga23 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 02, 2011 3:56 am

N3Njeff wrote:

Fouga23 wrote:

I'll give him $5 for it.

Oh no..... It's worth at least a 12 pack!

Nope, that would be a waste of perfectly good beer

AvroAvian · **Posted:** Thu Jun 02, 2011 7:24 am

You know the rules!

No smoking within 8 hours of flying and no drinking within 50 ft......

:drinkers:

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Thu Jun 02, 2011 8:31 am

I really can't go into a lot of details, but booze was NOT a factor.

Skyraiderdriver · **Joined:** Tue May 24, 2011 9:15 am **Posts:** 12

mustangdriver wrote:

I really can't go into a lot of details, but booze was NOT a factor.

Agreed!

IMHO, I think aircraft crashes and wrecks should be banned from this forum.

Someone could have died and all this thread has been is a joke fest with off topic discussion.

Not to mention speculation.

:roll:

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