A Richmond Hill man has been charged after a stunt-flying incident that had some onlookers frightened, according to police.

Police received over 10 calls from people who described seeing a Cessna 172 flying low over a residential area in Richmond Hill, said Const. Andy Pattenden of the York Regional Police.

“We had dispatched officers to the area who also observed this airplane, and the immediate thought was that they were having engine trouble,” he said.

Air traffic control from Buttonville Airport was not able to reach the aircraft, Pattenden said, though he did not know the reason. Air traffic control was able to see the plane on its radar until it dropped below a certain altitude.

Police closed roads to allow the pilot to land; however, the plane continued east to Markham Airport, where it landed safely.

“Officers attended the airport and made contact with the pilot who was on the ground at that point in time, still in the aircraft,” Pattenden explained.

Police have charged the Richmond Hill man with dangerous operation of an aircraft.

Pattenden said the accused was allegedly showing off for someone.

“The reasons why he was apparently doing it was he was basically stunt flying the aircraft for a friend who lived in Richmond Hill,” he said.

The Cessna 172 had been rented from a company at Markham Airport, he added.

Pattenden said the incident was “very unusual” and people from the neighbourhood were worried, noting YouTube videos documenting the occurrence.

“People are genuinely scared,” he said. “And even though they’re out there recording it, you hear other people in the background saying they’re going to run inside.”