As we have all learned over the last 6 years (our birthday is tomorrow!) at BangShift, fact is truly stranger than fiction. This news story from Australia certainly keeps that line of thought alive because it is both one of the funniest and weirdest things we have ever read. The funny part comes in the part of the story where a guy buys a clapped out plane with no wings and decides that the way he will get it home is to literally drive it there on the public roads. We’re not certain how large the city of Newman is but apparently they didn’t take to kindly to the idea of someone driving their airplane around like a ‘Ute. Secondly, the fact that the guy figured that he’d have time to sit down at the bar and have a couple of drinks before completing his trip also made us laugh. We’re reasonably certain that the airplane is not equipped with reverse so imagine the scene of the guy coming out of the bar, collecting the cones he had put out to forewarn people of the prop, pushing the thing backwards out of its parking space and firing it up in the parking lot before rumbling off down the road.
We have seen some great entrances and exits from local watering holes before, but this? This one takes the cake to a level we had never even considered! The news story is below and the unintentional humor factor in it is high because it reads like a police report. Just the facts, ma’am…..just the facts.
Oh, one more thing. Can we agree that the guy who drove the plane in would probably be a fun dude to have a beer with?
Here’s the text of the story as it appeared on FB – Thanks to Damien Busbridge for the tip on this one!
Newman Plane Incident Charge – A 37 year old man was charged today in relation to him taxiing a propeller driven Beechcraft 2 seater aircraft (minus wings) through Newman to the Newman Hotel (purple pub) on Friday 31 October 2014 at about 2.10pm.
It will be alleged that he had just bought the aircraft from a private residence and was taking it home on the other side of the town, but stopped at the pub.
On examination it was found to have an exposed fuel line hanging from the side of the aircraft attached to an unsecured jerry can inside the cabin to enable the engine to run. On stopping the aircraft the accused left the engine in a potentially dangerous condition with the ignition on.
The accused does not hold a pilot’s licence and the roads were busy with other vehicles and pedestrians at the time.
The accused has been charged with Endanger Life, Health or Safety of a Person and is due to appear in the Newman Magistrates Court on 18 November 2014.
Out crazy the Russians? I wonder if it occurred to him to just get a trailer? Happy BS BD my friend.
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I agree I would have a beer with this guy, more than likely has some great stories and probably tells them without a hint of irony or knowledge why people can’t keep a straight face around him. Looks like he did a top job too as that plane is right in the parking spot, it’s a better job parking than 90% of the cars I see parked at the mall or pub round these parts.
In the early 90s my dad and I ran into two ausies with a cesna 130 in the selway bitterroot wilderness in Idaho. They had traveled to the eaa flyin in Oshkosh to buy the plane. After which they flew across the us to port to ship the plane back to Australia. At that time there was no light aircraft manufacturing in Australia and planes were very expensive there. One of the guys had a 20,000 acre sheep ranch and a light plane for the bill. It was a great weekend with them. They thought they would also be able to live off the land here in Idaho, we told them they would probably be arrested if they didn’t starve to death, between is and another camp we rounded up enough food, including the watermelon we had flown in. At that time the murder/dissaperiance of the baby by Ayers Rock was a big story and the guys had opposing views of it, the rancher had a dingo for a pet. Fantastic memory and a beautiful plane.
Newman is an iron ore mining town in the North West of Australia. A bit rough & ready like a lot of mining towns. a lot of “characters” up there.
I like that it looks like the police couldn’t find a law to cover the situation, and had to resort to a general purpose charge. I hope the court goes easy on him.
I have indulged in quite a few beverages with this incredible man and am proud as punch to say he is my friend. he is a character and has on several occasions made me laugh so hard I suffered from extreme soreness in the belly regions. He is extremely intelligent and lives the dream withhold lovely wife and children, although I wonder how long his wife’s sanity will last.
Love you Auto, don’t ever Change!