Arraignment set in plane case
Posted on Saturday, March 15, 2008
A Russellville Regional Airport commissioner faces arraignment Tuesday on a misdemeanor charge of unauthorized use of a vehicle — an airplane.
Police said Phillip B. Cowger last October grabbed the keys to a 1968 Cessna 150 H owned by Daniel McCuin of Hector and flew the aircraft to Clarksville to give a man a flying lesson.
The plane, with both Cowger and the student aboard, was just taking off at the Clarksville airport for the flight lesson when it hit power lines and crashed Oct. 5.
Neither man was seriously hurt. The plane, however, was destroyed, according to Russellville police detective David Virden.
Virden said Cowger, 57, reported that “McCuin said he could use the plane anytime. McCuin says, no, he didn’t say that.” “I’m not really sure what to think on this,” Virden said Thursday. “Both of them think they’re in the right.” Neither Cowger nor McCuin could be reached for comment by phone this week.
On Feb. 27, Prosecuting Attorney David Gibbons of Clarksville charged Cowger with the misdemeanor count, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $ 1, 000 fine upon a conviction. Arraignment is in Pope County District Court.
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