[WestCoastGal]

CBS said this plane was flying for 4 hours around Philadelphia, Atlantic City and circling the nuclear power plant. Planes had to be diverted from the airport. They said no fighters were scrambled during this whole incident. I can't believe that!! If it's true, someone was asleep at the switch. They also said the pilot was drunk.
The newspaper report makes it seem like a simple occurrence but CBS was more thorough. (note: I rarely watch CBS just happened to have it on for local news and network news came on)
____________________________________________________________


Plane Diverted From Philadelphia Int'l
Fri Jan 16,12:19 AM ET Add U.S. National



PHILADELPHIA - A small plane was diverted to a suburban airstrip Thursday night after it entered controlled airspace near the Philadelphia International Airport, authorities said.



A police helicopter escorted the single-engine plane to the Pottstown-Limerick Airport, about 35 miles northwest of Philadelphia, according to city and state police.


Philadelphia airport spokesman Mark Pesce declined to comment, referring all questions to the Federal Aviation Administration (news - web sites).


FAA spokesman Jim Peters said the plane was flying erratically and had been tracked for over three hours before being forced down around 10:20 p.m.


The pilot entered controlled airspace without permission, Peters said.


The pilot, who was not identified, was questioned and detained by police in Limerick, Peters said.


The pilot will be given a ticket from the FAA for violating the airspace around the Philadelphia airport without permission, Peters said. That could lead to a fine and his pilot's license being suspended or revoked.


The plane was registered to a Pottstown-area contractor, J. Vincent Concrete Contractors, but a woman who answered the telephone at the business declined to comment Thursday night.

[hummingbird]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1058955/posts

Here is link from yesterday; not much there.

[Pegita]

Heavenly Father, we return to give You thanks for Your divine protection, so obvious when our own systems of protection fall short. Thank You that the pilot of the Pennsylvania airplane seemed not bent on destruction, but we are chastened by what might have been. Thank You, O God, for Your grace and mercy that allowed such an incident to be harmless, but may we be swift to put into place all that is needed to avoid such lapses in security. Bring to account those who have not upheld the highest standards of our nation's security, that we might avoid any form of disaster to come upon us. Increase our vigilance, even in times of lessened alert, for the enemy would be quick to strike.

We continue to pray, O God, for those who seek the names and places of any who wish us harm ... roll back the shadows in which they hide, that they be rendered powerless. Cut off sources of funding and distract those who would be willing to sacrifice their own lives in the murder of innocents ~ turn this badge of honor into total dishonor, for only You can change the hearts of men. Bring forth the Light of Your Word into a darkened world, that men may live, and live eternally. In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen ...

[Velveeta]

Bit of an update to add to your post. Pretty detailed description of the havoc this knudnick caused.

Knudnick's name is John Salamone, 44 yrs:

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/news/011604_nw_pilotarrest.html