Thursday, 4:30 PM
Homemade plane's first flight is short
By Mac Daniel, Globe staff
NORTH ANDOVER -- A pilot taking his experimental plane on its maiden flight this morning crashed into a tree in a nearby backyard, walking away with only a cut across the bridge of his nose, police and witnesses said.
The aircraft, which witnesses said experienced engine problems shortly after taking off from Lawrence Municipal Airport, was barely flying above the tree tops before it crashed. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.
The pilot, Norman Michaud, 68, of Melrose, was taken to Lawrence General Hospital for treatment, officials said.
Jerry Barberio, 51, was shaving around 8:10 a.m. when he heard a noise, looked out his bathroom window and saw the lime green and yellow airplane slam into the maple tree in his backyard.
The plane, a jumble of plywood and Styrofoam, came to rest at the base of the tree, and Michaud emerged from the wreckage. Barberio said he went outside and helped Michaud away from the plane in case of fire.
"My thought was to get him away from the wreckage," Barberio said. "It was an interesting way to start the morning."
