F-16s Pursue Cessna Stolen by Flight Student - Plane Could Be Shot Down If Deemed a Threat

ABC News ^

[MindBender26]

A/C now landed on US Highway 60 (Interstate?) in Missouri. More when known

[MindBender26]

The single engine Cessna 172 landed on U.S. Highway 60 in Missouri around 9 p.m. CT, and according to sources the pilot ran from the plane.

There were no reports of injuries on the ground.

[txhurl]

I’m keeping my assessment of his religion to myself.

[Palladin]

Thanks for the update.

At least it wasn’t flown into a building.

[Wisconsinlady]

The pilot ran away on foot? You mean they had no police or anyone waiting for him to land?

[hugorand]

Yep, it landed, here’s the latest http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=7273710&page=1

[Rudder]

This guy’s a great pilot-—he squeezed 5.5 hours of flying time out of one hour of fuel.

[Beaten Valve]

Couldn’t they still pursue him on foot using the F-16’s?

I love watching those videos when they blast away at terrorists running away from a vehicle in Iraq...

[LeGrande]

At least it wasn’t flown into a building.

How much damage could a Cessna 172 do?

[Sir Clancelot]

Hello, does anyone remember 9/11? OK, I realize Obama doesn’t, but what exactly do you have to do with a stolen plane to get anyone to take it seriously? I mean, they are evacuating government office buildings, so they have to suspect it’s a threat. What about just blowing the effing thing out of the air? #1 removes the threat #2 will serve as a deterrent to other knuckleheads whose intent may be to get on the 11 o’clock news.

[al baby]

building I never understood that word. Does that mean its still under construction? Why don’t they call them Built’s?

[skinkinthegrass]

Frm.Microsoft Flight Simulator X Pilot, wanted to fly "the real thing"?

[earlJam]

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane was flying for a while at 14,500 feet. Over 10,000 feet the air is quite thin and commercial planes would be pressurized, but the Cessna 172 is not. As a result, the pilot could be suffering from hypoxia, or lack of oxygen, which can lead to confusion.

The plane later dropped its altitude to 3,700 feet, where there is more oxygen.

Another government official said the plane did not seem to be showing any hostile intent.

"It had opportunities to go into heavily populated areas, and it has not done so," the official said. "It appears to be veering around. Not going to urban air space."

[spunkets]

"Couldn’t they still pursue him on foot using the F-16’s?"

He was laughing his head off as he ran away, so htey decided to use B-52s for an arc light.

[ml/nj]

I guess I'd like to know why the plan wasn't shot down. We all learn the "follow-me" signal that interceptors give. (I'd also like to know how F-16s manage to fly slowly enough to stay alongside a 172.

ML/NJ

[Beaten Valve]

Laura Brown of the Federal Aviation Administration said the Cessna 172 landed on a dirt road at Ellsinore, Mo., near Poplar Grove and the pilot ran away.

[HairOfTheDog]

Couldn’t they still pursue him on foot using the F-16’s?

F-16 isn't ~exactly~ the best tool for that, a helicopter would be better ;~)

[txhurl]

He flies for 5 1/2 hours, lands decently, and has the energy and oxygen to run?

[jennyjenny]

Whatever. He stole a plane, eventually was able to land it, and then ran from authorities. He was up to no good and now every one knows we’re not just going to shoot them down next time.

[HairOfTheDog]

The pilot ran away on foot? You mean they had no police or anyone waiting for him to land?

A little hard for police to know where a plane is going to land far enough in advance to stage cars there.