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."
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (08.27.25)
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