The (Late) John Sandberg bought a P-63 King Cobra in the late 1960's to race at the Reno Air Races. The summer of 1969, the aircraft was ready for her first test flight. On the initial test flight out of Crystal, MN John accidentally hit the emergency landing switch. (which is located right above the flaps switch) and the first takeoff was the last take off for the year. John and the Cobra ended lading just north of the airport, shearing off the wings with two telephone poles and landing in between two apartment buildings. No one was hurt. He re-built the aircraft over the next 2 1/2 years; painted her red/orange (his favorite color) and was able to make the Reno Air Races in the early 70's.
The photo's below were found in the family hangar two years ago. Several items were destroyed due to poor up keep of the hangar.