16-Year-Old Apologizes In Letter To Local Newspaper

Another day, another story about someone flying a plane they shouldn't have been, WHERE they shouldn't have been.

Police filed charges Friday against two teens accused of stealing an airplane and buzzing the crowd attending a September 30 football game between Marshfield and Rhinelander high schools in Wisconsin. The charges include entry into a locked room, reckless endangerment, and obstructing an officer.

Authorities did not identify the teens involved, as both are minors. However, Raymond E. Kennedy Jr., 16, took responsibility for the act in a letter to the Marshfield News-Herald.

"It was never my intention to scare or terrorize any of the fans or players at any time," wrote Kennedy in the letter-to-the-editor. "The fly-over was a prank intended to enlighten the crowd's spirit and to have a fun Homecoming."

The still-unidentified 16-year-old passenger also faces one charge of operating the airplane without the owner's consent.

Kennedy, a student pilot who at the time worked at the Marshfield Municipal Airport (needless to say, he doesn't anymore) busted the FARs several ways, including flying at night without an endorsement, flying with a passenger onboard (not allowed unless the student is receiving instruction) and reportedly flying within 150 feet of the ground.

The Federal Aviation Regulations state aircraft must operate no lower than 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet across from, the highest obstacle present while over a congested area.

"Given the minimal experience this pilot had, I am convinced this community dodged a catastrophic event," said Police Chief Joe Stroik, echoing the sentiments shared by many witnesses to the event.

Kennedy had soloed three months prior to the event, according to airport manager Harold Duffy, but had not received any instruction for night flying.

After buzzing the crowd, police state the airplane remained in the area before returning to the Marshfield airport. Police later detained Kennedy during their investigation, but then released him.

The FAA and TSA are also conducting investigations of stunt, and whether or not Kennedy gets to retain is flying privileges depends on how he composes himself during those investigations, according to media reports.

Kennedy does seem remorseful for his actions.

"I have now seen several different perspectives of my stunt," Kennedy wrote in his letter, "all of which were never my intentions."

FMI: www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/faa_regulations/