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Unauthorized Flight by 14-Year-Old Ends in Crash (N5527M)

Fort Payne, AL, US

On June 16, 2005, a Cessna 152 (registration N5527M) was involved in an aviation accident near Fort Payne, AL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The intentional unauthorized use of a stolen aircraft by an unqualified person which resulted in a hard landing and substantial damage to the airplane. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A 14-year-old boy with no flight experience took an airplane with keys left inside, flew twice, and crashed on the second landing attempt. He was arrested and charged with theft.

Incident Details

According to police reports, a 14-year-old boy who had never flown an airplane before took an aircraft from an airport without authorization. The boy told police he wanted to go flying and found an airplane with the keys still inside.

He flew for a few minutes before landing successfully. After landing, he took off again for a second flight. This time, he flew for a longer period before attempting to land. During the landing attempt, the airplane landed hard and veered to the left.

Crash Sequence

The boy stated that he added power in an attempt to perform a go-around. However, the airplane crashed on a road, coming to rest nose-down after sliding approximately 40 feet.

Legal Outcome

The 14-year-old was arrested and charged with theft of an airplane. He was being held in juvenile detention pending a formal hearing.

Related events

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 16 Jun 2005 Cessna 152 accident near Fort Payne, AL?

A 14-year-old boy with no flight experience took an airplane with keys left inside, flew twice, and crashed on the second landing attempt. He was arrested and charged with theft.

Were there any fatalities in the 16 Jun 2005 Cessna 152 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 16 Jun 2005 involved a Cessna 152, registration N5527M, at Fort Payne, AL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The intentional unauthorized use of a stolen aircraft by an unqualified person which resulted in a hard landing and substantial damage to the airplane.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20050623X00847. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.