CANADA

Newfoundland man allegedly takes airplane joyride, crashes into woods

Police charged the 32-year-old man with flying without a licence, dangerous operation of an aircraft and obstructing a police officer

A Cessna 180 plane is shown in this image provided by the RCMP taken on Thursday Aug. 4, 2016 after a crash near Stephenville Crossing, Newfoundland. A Newfoundland man allegedly took a float plane on a joyride, before crashing it into a wooded area. RCMP say the Cessna 180 plane was taken from the Jeffrey's area without the owner's consent. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-RCMP MANDATORY CREDIT

A Cessna 180 plane is shown in this image provided by the RCMP taken on Thursday Aug. 4, 2016 after a crash near Stephenville Crossing, Nfld. A Newfoundland man allegedly took a float plane on a joyride, before crashing it into a wooded area. RCMP say the Cessna 180 plane was taken from the Jeffrey’s area without the owner’s consent. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-RCMP
MANDATORY CREDIT

STEPHENVILLE CROSSING, Nfld. – A Newfoundland man allegedly took a float plane on a joyride Thursday night, before crashing it into some woods not far away.

RCMP say the Cessna 180 was taken from the Jeffrey’s area without the owner’s consent.

Investigators say the plane, painted white with a red and blue stripe, crashed into woods about 10 kms away, near Mitchell’s Pond around 7 p.m. Thursday.

A 59-year-old man was taken to hospital with minor injuries, while a 32-year-old man was found trying to flee the scene.

Police allege the 32-year-old man was operating the plane and he’s been charged with flying without a licence, dangerous operation of an aircraft and obstructing a police officer.

The Mounties say a charge of theft over $5,000 is still being investigated.

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