Admits Firing A Shotgun In A Field, But Denies Targeting The Plane

A cropdusting plane doing what cropdusting planes do was the target of the ire, and some say the fire, of a nearby farmer who thought the plane was operating too near his farm in Edgar, Wisconsin.

The Associated Press reports that the farmer, Louis Olson, told a local television station that he recently observed the plane as it was flying less than 30 feet above his property ... and he said under powerlines in the area. Olson, a dairy farmer, said the plane was "spooking" his cattle.

The farmer called the local sheriff, who told him taking any enforcement action would be difficult without the "N" number on the plane. Frustrated, Olson allegedly told the dispatcher he'd "shoot down the plane," and later admitted taking his shotgun out into the field and firing it.

Though he denies firing at the plane, Olson was charged with disorderly conduct. He says he may have "overreacted," but has no second thoughts about alerting the Sheriff about the low-flying airplane.

An e-mail to ANN from the manager of Marshfield Municipal Airport (KMFI) in Marshfield, WI, indicated that plane is operated by a father-and-son team who are temporarily based at the airport. He said no one was injured in the incident, and did not indicate that the plane suffered any damage.

(File photo of cropdusting aircraft)

FMI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshfield_Municipal_Airport_(Wisconsin)