Skip to main content

'Reckless' Pilot Can’t Fly for 90 Days

Thu, 04/29/2021 - 08:54
David Wisner's April 13 flyby of Sag Harbor Village was promptly reported to the Federal Aviation Administration, according to the village police chief, Austin J. McGuire.
Sag Harbor Village Police Department; Aubrey Elizabeth

David Wisner, the 48-year-old Sag Harbor resident who flew his single-engine airplane in what local police have called "a dangerous and reckless manner over Sag Harbor Village," turned himself in to police there on Friday and was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor.

Mr. Wisner has since been suspended for 90 days from using East Hampton Town Airport, Town Councilman Jeff Bragman said yesterday. Mr. Bragman is the board's liaison to the airport.

On April 13, people out and about and even indoors reported being frightened when Mr. Wisner, the owner of Springs Auto Collision on Springs-Fireplace Road in East Hampton, buzzed over the village at altitudes as low as 50 feet above houses and businesses. He was to have been arraigned in Sag Harbor Justice Court on Friday following his booking at police headquarters, but the arraignment was postponed to May 7 because of a scheduling issue.

The April 13 flyby was promptly reported to the Federal Aviation Administration. Sag Harbor Village Police Chief Austin J. McGuire said Tuesday that he had no updates on the F.A.A. proceedings. "I'm sure it moves a lot slower than we do. He probably has the rights to hearings," the chief said.

The charge of reckless endangerment in the second degree is levied when a person is alleged to have engaged in "conduct which creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury to another person," which indeed was the worry of police and bystanders on April 13.

At the time, Chief McGuire, recalling that "9/11 was only 20 years ago," cited the "tremendous fallout" for "people who were really scared by this man." A bystander posted a video to Facebook of the plane swooping over the rooftops, which Mr. Bragman described as "startling" and "shocking."

It is unlikely Mr. Wisner will be able to fly during his 90-day airport suspension, because his plane, a single-engine Cessna 182, is parked at the airport.

Colin Asterita, his attorney, had no comment on the case this week. East Hampton Town Councilwoman Sylvia Overby said the board would likely discuss the incident further at its meeting on Tuesday.

On the Police Logs 07.10.25

“You need to get out of my room,” a man yelled as he walked into a Surf Lodge hotel room just before midnight on Friday, waking up a New York City woman who had been asleep in the bed. She asked him to test the entry code for the room and closed the door behind him. He left when he was unable to unlock the door.

Jul 10, 2025

Felony Arrests in Sag Harbor

Two drivers were charged with felonies in Sag Harbor over the Fourth of July weekend.

Jul 10, 2025

S.U.V.s Collide, Three Hurt

There were numerous minor fender-benders on local roads in the runup to the big holiday weekend, but only one was reported to have resulted in injuries.

Jul 10, 2025

Seeking Volunteer Advocates

The nonprofit EAC Network is seeking volunteers for the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program in Suffolk County to work with families and children involved in abuse and neglect cases to represent children’s best interests.

Jul 10, 2025

 

Your support for The East Hampton Star helps us deliver the news, arts, and community information you need. Whether you are an online subscriber, get the paper in the mail, delivered to your door in Manhattan, or are just passing through, every reader counts. We value you for being part of The Star family.

Your subscription to The Star does more than get you great arts, news, sports, and outdoors stories. It makes everything we do possible.