Fighter jets force down small plane in Charlotte

Charlotte Observer ^ | 9/10/02 | Ted Reed

[PJeffQ]

Fighter jets force down small plane in Charlotte
BY TED REED STAFF WRITER

Fighter jets forced down a small plane in Charlotte Tuesday morning because it hadn't provided authorities with enough information, say aviation sources.

Early reports indicate that the plane was en route from Columbia to Colorado Springs, Colo. when it was forced down around 11:15 a.m. at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport.

The FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration were said to be investigating.

The plane apparently had an Egyptian registration at one time, a source said. Further details were unavailable.

Dwain Wilkins, spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration, said authorities were satisfied that the plane was not a risk.

Authorities "wanted to reverify some information," he said. "They were cross-checking in the system."

[Constitution Day]

NC ping!

[KineticKitty]

"Dwain Wilkins, spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration, said authorities were satisfied that the plane was not a risk."

Was this before or after they forced the plane down???

[PJeffQ]

doesnt the article say forced down (past tense)?

All I know is what's in the article

[Dedbone]

If we were on 'Red Alert' would they have shot it down?

[fivecatsandadog]

was this before or after they issued the orange alert?

[InvisibleChurch]

sounds like the libs will complain about a 'hate force down'

[nevergore]

It wasn't me!

Unfortunately, I grounded at my desk today.....

"Forced down" is a liberal use of language.....Most likely, a controllers request for a diversion to a airfield and fighters were in the area..... "Forced down" implies that there was no willful compliance by the pilot to Center's (or Departure's) commands....I doubt that....

NeverGore

[EggsAckley]

The plane apparently had an Egyptian registration at one time

[Constitution Day]

Yep, I saw that too.

[SunnyUsa]

the pilot that was chased the other day by NYC helicopters after flying to low near the UN was flown by a "mohammed" somthing, and it was dismissed as "not a threat" and he was "part" of WTC rescue or some sort of thing.....

ANYWAY, it's common sense for all pilots to be professional and careful with everyone so tuned in to security. If they aren't - they shouldn't be flying and/or might get shot down.

[PJeffQ]

If anyone has seen tv coverage that might include a pic, could you see the FAA tail code on the small plane?

[Mo1]

Fox is reporting this just now

What is meant by .."forced down"

[SheLion]

BUMP

[blam]

Fox News just reported that the plane was forced down.

[PJeffQ]

09/10/2002

By JIM GILCHRIEST / nbc6.com




AirStar6
Authorities surrounded the plane after it landed at Charlotte-Douglas Airport.
Two F-16 fighter jets escorted a twin-engine jet to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport Tuesday morning after the pilot failed to follow a flight plan, sources told 6NEWS.

A Cessna Citation took off from an airport in Columbia, S.C. around 11:20 a.m. It's not yet known where the plane was headed, but authorities ordered the jets to intercept the Cessna because it did not have a flight plan, the sources said.

The plane landed in Charlotte without incident.

The name of the pilot is not yet available.

The FBI is investigating.

[PJeffQ]

This is a pic of the actual plane on the runway...

[Mo1]

Authorities surrounded the plane after it landed at Charlotte-Douglas Airport. Two F-16 fighter jets escorted a twin-engine jet to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport Tuesday morning after the pilot failed to follow a flight plan, sources told 6NEWS.

Thanks for the update

[Frank_Discussion]

The original story made it sound like a 152/172 propjob, not a Citation Jet. Veddy Intellesting...