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airknocker · 14 July 2007, 08:20 AM

Man critical after homemade plane crashes
By Matt Snyder
Herald Staff Writer

GREENE TOWNSHIP— A 56-year-old Greenville man was hurt when his antique World War I replica airplane crashed into a cornfield in Greene Township at about 8:30 p.m. Friday.
Fred Murrin was trucked from the scene of the crash to a field where he was flown to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Youngstown, where he was in critical condition, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
Portions of the wooden fuselage were splintered, and the plane landed at the edge of a cornfield next to a line of trees near Propst Road.
Jamestown Fire Chief David Jones said that, according to witnesses, Murrin performed a “touch and go” maneuver in which he attempted to land and take off again, then banked toward nearby Greenville Airport when the plane stalled.
“Witnesses said they actually saw him spiraling to the ground from 300 to 400 feet,” Jones said.
Murrin is known throughout the region for his hand-crafted, vintage replica aircraft.
“He restores old planes, that’s his deal,” said one neighbor on scene with his sons.
Jones said Murrin had spent 18 years building the single-engine replica plane, a Sopwith Camel –– a British plane used during World War I, the same type of plane made famous by Snoopy in the “Peanuts” cartoon.
“And it’s only about the third time he’s been flying it,” Jones said.
Fellow pilot Jack Ballard, who was at the scene, called Murrin a “craftsman.”
Police secured the scene overnight until the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration can investigate.
Greenville and state police responded, with Greenville Fire Department and Jamestown and West Salem Township volunteer fire departments on scene, along with Mercer County Emergency Services Director Frank Jannetti.

Copyright © 1999-2006 cnhi, inc.

Photos

State police work the scene of a plane crash Friday night in a Greene Township cornfield. A homemade replica of a classic Sopwith Camel World War I fighter plane piloted by Fred Murrin of Greenville crashed into the field near Greenville Airport. Tom

14 July 2007, 08:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
airknocker Two-seater Pilot Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Portersville, PA Posts: 119	Fred Murrin Down Man critical after homemade plane crashes By Matt Snyder Herald Staff Writer GREENE TOWNSHIP— A 56-year-old Greenville man was hurt when his antique World War I replica airplane crashed into a cornfield in Greene Township at about 8:30 p.m. Friday. Fred Murrin was trucked from the scene of the crash to a field where he was flown to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Youngstown, where he was in critical condition, according to a hospital spokeswoman. Portions of the wooden fuselage were splintered, and the plane landed at the edge of a cornfield next to a line of trees near Propst Road. Jamestown Fire Chief David Jones said that, according to witnesses, Murrin performed a “touch and go” maneuver in which he attempted to land and take off again, then banked toward nearby Greenville Airport when the plane stalled. “Witnesses said they actually saw him spiraling to the ground from 300 to 400 feet,” Jones said. Murrin is known throughout the region for his hand-crafted, vintage replica aircraft. “He restores old planes, that’s his deal,” said one neighbor on scene with his sons. Jones said Murrin had spent 18 years building the single-engine replica plane, a Sopwith Camel –– a British plane used during World War I, the same type of plane made famous by Snoopy in the “Peanuts” cartoon. “And it’s only about the third time he’s been flying it,” Jones said. Fellow pilot Jack Ballard, who was at the scene, called Murrin a “craftsman.” Police secured the scene overnight until the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration can investigate. Greenville and state police responded, with Greenville Fire Department and Jamestown and West Salem Township volunteer fire departments on scene, along with Mercer County Emergency Services Director Frank Jannetti. Copyright © 1999-2006 cnhi, inc. Photos State police work the scene of a plane crash Friday night in a Greene Township cornfield. A homemade replica of a classic Sopwith Camel World War I fighter plane piloted by Fred Murrin of Greenville crashed into the field near Greenville Airport. Tom