Maine man arrested after
lighting match on airplane
The Associated Press
BOSTON — A man from Maine who struck a match on a U.S. Airways flight to Boston's Logan International Airport is facing some heat — but not over the matches.
Massachusetts State Police detained 50-year-old Paul Prater of Sanford on Wednesday after questioning him on an outstanding identity fraud warrant from Canton, Ga.
State police spokesman David Procopio said no charges have been brought for the match lighting, which Prater said was an accident.
Prater told investigators the match ignited when he pulled a package from his pocket during the flight from Washington, D.C. He quickly snuffed the flame.
Suffolk County District Attorney spokesman Jake Wark said Prater was to appear Thursday in East Boston District Court on a fugitive charge. It was unclear if Prater has an attorney.
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13 COMMENTS
Skeeziks said...
Accidental? Hmmm. To light a match in a book, you have to tear the match out of the book, turn it over and then strike it. Unless of course it was a match stick. But here again you still have to strike it on something.
March 18, 2010 at 5:13 PM Report abuse
HappyCampah said...
unless your a marooon an carry loose 'strike anywhere' matches in your pocket with your change n keys. Seems to me such things would be on the no fly list anyhow. I mean really how hard is it to find a book of matches or lighter when you land. dummy set himself up
March 18, 2010 at 5:20 PM Report abuse
gle said...
HappyCampah, what is a marooon?
March 18, 2010 at 5:26 PM Report abuse
AKMaineiac said...
Someone missed out on "Bug Bunny"... a "marooon" is what Bugs called Yosemite Sam most of the time... among others. The guy must have a death wish... lighting a match on a plane is a good way to get your neck broken by the Good Samaritan sitting beside you. As there is absolutely no legitimate reason to be doing so on an airplane.
March 18, 2010 at 5:31 PM Report abuse
Hipupchuck said...
I struck lots of matches on planes. We used to smoke on them you know. Plane didn't blow up.
March 18, 2010 at 7:18 PM Report abuse
reader said...
Good thing i wasnt the pilot., i would open a door and threw him out
March 18, 2010 at 7:29 PM Report abuse
Ian said...
What about the fact that this guy was able to get onto an airplane with a warrant out for identity fraud? Score another one for that savvy TSA.
March 18, 2010 at 8:00 PM Report abuse
frankstower said...
They don't run a criminal check on every boarding passenger! What, a guy has outstanding fines owed from the other side of the country and the TSA has so few things to worry about they're gonna get involved in something that has NOTHING to do with airline security?? What, you just complain about anything, right, Mo?
March 18, 2010 at 10:48 PM Report abuse
AKMaineiac said...
Hipupchuck said... I struck lots of matches on planes. We used to smoke on them you know. Plane didn't blow up. March 18, 2010 at 7:18 PM *** But in the current day, there is absolutely no legitimate reason to be lighting a match or a lighter on an airplane. Is there? They also used to allow concealed weapons on airplanes. Nobody cared.
March 18, 2010 at 11:41 PM Report abuse
BillyFiske said...
"Accidental? Hmmm. To light a match in a book, you have to tear the match out of the book, turn it over and then strike it. Unless of course it was a match stick. But here again you still have to strike it on something." ----------------------------------- I have twice witnessed someone reach into their pocket for a matchbook and come out with a handful of flaming matchbook so it is possible.
March 19, 2010 at 6:48 AM Report abuse
C-Fairer said...
Paranoia
March 19, 2010 at 10:25 AM Report abuse
PhyllisY said...
will destroy ya.
March 19, 2010 at 1:53 PM Report abuse
TheSaint said...
reader said... Good thing i wasnt the pilot., i would open a door and threw him out********** For once I agree with you!
March 19, 2010 at 5:08 PM Report abuse