From ABC On Line, 16/7/2002
Runaway plane creates havoc at Darwin airport
Four aircraft have been damaged - three of them seriously - after a collision at the Darwin airport this morning.
A pilotless Cessna hit three other planes before coming to a stop.
The owner of two of the damaged aircraft, John Hardy, said the pilot was outside cranking the propeller or handstarting the aeroplane when it began to move.
Mr Hardy said the Cessna careered across the tarmac before crashing into two of his aircraft.
"He wasn't in the aeroplane but his three children were, which is pretty frightening and the aircraft engine sprung in to life and developed enough power to tear off down the taxiway," he said.
Mr Hardy said the aircraft came very close to becoming airborne.
"I think one wheel was off the ground and it was accelerating very quickly," he said.