7/16/1999 page 7

 7/16/1999 page 7 by ric gustafson

At the Essex County Airport, John hobbled toward his red and white Piper Saratoga. Ten minutes later, Carolyn arrived in their Lincoln Town car. Lauren greeted her sister. Then they helped John load everything into the plane's small cargo hold.

Once they got into the plane, John went through his preflight check for takeoff. Friends like Kyle Bailey and John Perry Barlow tried to warn John about the weather. Despite their warnings, John was determined to fly this evening on his own.

When John was ready, Carolyn and Lauren belted themselves into tan leather seats. When the two sisters were settled in, John eased the Piper Saratoga unto the runway.

John informed the control tower his flight plan. He intended to fly north to Teterboro New Jersey and then east to Martha's Vineyard.

At 8:38 pm, the Piper Saratoga took off.

research help: ' The Day John Died' by Christopher Andersen

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric