He Stole a Plane at 3AM to Win a $10 Bar Bet — Then Did It Again
In 1956, a New Jersey combat veteran named Tommy Fitzpatrick did something so reckless it sounds fictional: he stole a single-engine Cessna in the middle of the night, flew it without lights or radio over Manhattan, and landed it perfectly on a narrow city street — just to win a ten-dollar bar bet. This is the true story of two of the most audacious aviation stunts in New York City history. Fitzpatrick, drinking at a Washington Heights tavern at 3 AM, was challenged to travel from New Jersey to the bar in fifteen minutes. He drove to Teterboro Airport, stole a Cessna 140, and touched down on St. Nicholas Avenue directly outside the bar. The plane's owner declined to press charges, and Fitzpatrick walked away with a $100 fine. Two years later, when a patron accused him of making the whole thing up, Fitzpatrick left, stole a second plane, and landed it on Amsterdam Avenue to prove it happened. That second stunt cost him six months in prison — and permanently settled the argument.
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In 1956, a New Jersey combat veteran named Tommy Fitzpatrick did something so reckless it sounds fictional: he stole a single-engine Cessna in the middle of the night, flew it without lights or radio over Manhattan, and landed it perfectly on a narrow city street — just to win a ten-dollar bar bet. This is the true story of two of the most audacious aviation stunts in New York City history. Fitzpatrick, drinking at a Washington Heights tavern at 3 AM, was challenged to travel from New Jersey to the bar in fifteen minutes. He drove to Teterboro Airport, stole a Cessna 140, and touched down on St. Nicholas Avenue directly outside the bar. The plane's owner declined to press charges, and Fitzpatrick walked away with a $100 fine. Two years later, when a patron accused him of making the whole thing up, Fitzpatrick left, stole a second plane, and landed it on Amsterdam Avenue to prove it happened. That second stunt cost him six months in prison — and permanently settled the argument.
Full transcript of He Stole a Plane at 3AM to Win a $10 Bar Bet — Then Did It Again
A man walked out of a bar at 3 AM to win a ten-dollar bet. Tommy Fitzpatrick drove to Teterboro Airport and stole a plane. No lights. No radio. Total darkness over Manhattan. He landed the Cessna on St. Nicholas Avenue — right outside the bar. Two years later, someone called it a lie. So he stole another plane and did it again.