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.  

Return to Top ▲Return to Top ▲