Homesick Mechanic Steals Plane: A Mystery

In 1969, in the middle of the Cold War, Air Force Mechanic Paul Meyer stole a C130 Hercules to get himself home. Homesick and pining for his wife and stepchildren, Meyer asked to be sent back to the states, "But his request for leave had been refused" (BBC). Upset at this Meyer got drunk and came up with a plan. He got on a radio and under a false name and rank, ordered a C130 to be fueled up and ready to go to the U.S.. The personnel receiving his message complied - as they thought he was a captain. Soon after, Meyer got on the C130 - a plane he was not qualified to fly and flew south across the English Channel. 90 minutes later, the plane crashed into the channel. Meyer's body was never found and it is unclear if it was an accident or if the plane was shot down. 49 years later, people are starting an investigation to find the truth.
http://www.bbc.com/news/stories-43800089