Posted on 09/18/2005 8:41:33 AM PDT by frankjr
***scroll down for an important update***
A number of us in the blogosphere have been catching wind of rumors that a surface-to-air missile was fired at an America West flight originating out of New York. Here's a post at Little Green Footballs, where many commenters are wisely skeptical but wanting more info.
I just got off the phone with Phil Gee, associate manager of media relations at America West, who promptly returned my late evening call. Here's what he told me:
On Sept. 15 (Thursday), America West Flight 17 took off from JFK Airport at 6:05pm EDT [Update: The actual time of departure was 6:49 pm. -MM]. The captain "took the initiative," says Gee, and reported an "irregularity" to air traffic control as the plane was ascending. The plane continued to Phoenix and landed safely at 8:55pm MST. FBI and other authorities met and interviewed all of the crew and passengers on the plane. The investigation is continuing.
Gee would not say whether the pilot or other crew or passengers reported witnessing a missile firing.
"Nothing is confirmed," Gee said.
***
Although one tipster says America West has informed its pilots of the incident, Gee denied that any company bulletin has been issued. Gee mentioned that he had heard that other airline pilots had posted about the incident on an online forum. E-mail or trackback if you have seen other pilot accounts.
***
Update: A government aviation official who asked me not to reveal her name says the "missile siting was [a] false alarm:"
The sighting was reported near Colt's Neck, NJ, which is a major route south out of NY. FAA set up a small temporary flight restriction around the area while checking radar files. Turned out to be nothing more than birds, and [a] big game of "telephone."
***
"I do agree posting a rumor is not a good thing."
If you're a 'journalist', it's a 'hot tip'. If you're a conservative, it's 'a crackpot rumor'. It's good that we conspiracy theorists get a lot of ribbing to keep us less kooky than the left, but sometimes, I think the tinfoil is thrown around a bit... obsessively.
I remember that the 'flock of birds' theory flopped in a plane crash right after 9-11, so I understand your suspicion.
That's right...Once the FBI told the pilots and passengers that what they saw was a flock of red-headed woodpeckers, everyone was happy...
If there was no video of planes hitting the twin towers, just imagine the stories the Feds would have come up with...
I was turned into a newt.
I got better...
If there are minor acts and failed acts of terrorism being kept quiet, then our enemies need larger acts of terror to get any attention. They're like brats who first shout, and then they punch. And if punching is ignored....
"I was turned into a newt."
So Merlin paniced and turned you into a newt. Aha! I guess there was panic. Ok.
Flying frozen Butterballs.
I agree with that...
Google "AA587 Birds" and see what you get ....
you are absolutely correct :)
some want to look for big bad government at the expense of logic...
some want to look for ways to make the government look best at the expense of logic.
If anyone questions my prediction of what these rumors would lead to, they need only see your asinine message.
These people tend to work in Redmond. ;o)
Google link for your suggestion, "AA587+Birds"
http://www.google.com/search?as_q=AA587+Birds&num=10&hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&lr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=all&as_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&safe=images
"If anyone questions my prediction of what these rumors would lead to, they need only see your asinine message."
I see someone's undies are in a bunch. Some people simply try too hard to get their point across, to a point where emotion must override communication skills.
Alfred Hitchcock or maybe the design team of the "Crescent of Embrace" might like the birds answer .... I don't.
Maybe YOU couldn't tell the difference between a flock of birds and a missle...And although pilots see thousands if not millions of flocks of birds, how many do they mistake for missles??? Hundreds??? Thousands???
If you want to fall for the gov'ts line that missles and birds are identical when viewed from an air plane, you may want to contact Reynolds Aluminum directly for a hefty supply of their product...
Gov't wouldn't lie to us??? You better get the x-tra heavy duty stuff...
Maybe YOU couldn't tell the difference between a flock of birds and a missle...And although pilots see thousands if not millions of flocks of birds, how many do they mistake for missles??? Hundreds??? Thousands???
If you want to fall for the gov'ts line that missles and birds are identical when viewed from an air plane, you may want to contact Reynolds Aluminum directly for a hefty supply of their product...
Gov't wouldn't lie to us??? You better get the x-tra heavy duty stuff...
Well, at least that one didn't come from "A government aviation official who asked me not to reveal her name . . ." ;-)
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