thom loverro

On Dec 9, 1979 the New York Jets played the New England Patriots at Shea Stadium. However it was a halftime incident that the 45,000 spectators probably remember most. For the sum of $800, "The Electronic Eagles of the Radio Controlled Association of Greater New York" put on a 15 minute show of radio controlled airplanes, and one flying lawnmower. Most of you are probably thinking; Is it a good idea to fly dozens of radio controlled planes over the heads of 45,000 in a windy open aired stadium like Shea? Most of you probably came to the conclusion that the answer would be a resounding no. But.... You're not in the front office of the NY Jets. You would think someone would have figured out this was a bad idea when one of the planes crashed onto the field, but the show went on. Then the flying lawnmower that was circling the stadium nose-dived into the stands, hitting about five rows behind the Patriots’ bench along the third base line. "I just lost control, that's what it was," said Philip Cushman the pilot. John Bowen, 20 years old of Nashua, N.H., was taken to hospital in critical condition and died from the injuries suffered. A witness said it appeared as if he had been hit by an axe. Kevin Rourke, 25, of Lynn, Mass., was released in satisfactory condition after suffering a concussion.