Posted on 07/05/2002 9:28:55 AM PDT by snippy_about_it
Two Planes Fly Through Restricted NYC Air Space, Buzz Cruise Ship; Pilots Released After Questioning By Wayne Parry Associated Press Writer Published: Jul 5, 2002
WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) - Two small planes swooped through restricted airspace around New York City and buzzed a cruise ship before police helicopters forced them down almost an hour later. The two Florida pilots were released from police headquarters early Friday without being charged criminally, although they may face Federal Aviation Administration sanctions for flight violations, the FBI said.
The pilots were identified as Andre Morais and Daniel Oliverso, both of Miami.
The incident Thursday evening came amid heightened security for the Independence Day holiday, but there was no evidence of a potential terrorist threat, officials said.
"It was just poor judgment," said Sandra Carroll, a spokeswoman for the Newark FBI office.
The planes, owned by the Florida-based Aerial Sign Corp., were flying as low as 50 feet off Queens' Rockaway shoreline, well below the required 1,000-foot minimum, said Jim Peters, an FAA spokesman.
They also brushed past a cruise ship near New York Harbor, Carroll said.
She said the pilots ignored warnings from the New York police helicopters to leave the area, and one plane appeared to aim itself at one of the choppers, leading the helicopter pilot to believe the plane was trying to ram him, Carroll said.
The chase crossed into New Jersey, and witness Jim Dempsey said three helicopters were pursuing the planes when they reached Wall Township, about 40 miles south of Manhattan.
"NYPD was all over them," Dempsey said.
The planes landed at the township's Monmouth Executive Airport, which is used by corporate aircraft and advertising planes that trail banners up and down the coast.
Police approached the pilots with guns drawn to take them into custody.
"The realization is starting to sink in about what they did," FBI Special Agent Ed Kahrer said. "The public should be happy about (law enforcement's) response in this matter."
Police said it appeared that the planes were registered and the pilots were licensed, but it was not immediately clear why the pilots were flying so low.
Another plane owned by Aerial Sign of Hollywood, Fla., was involved in a fatal crash Monday at the same airport. The banner plane crashed while attempting take off and burned, killing the pilot.
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AP-ES-07-05-02 1203EDT
Wish I'd mentioned it, but I thought yesterday they were likely beach-sign towing guys.
For those of you who haven't been to the beach, there are all kinds of airplanes that fly low towing long advertisement signs.
Hey kids, it's not fun and games anymore. Kudos to the cops on this one...These two should have their tickets pulled as a good lesson to other thrill seekers besides themselves.
Happy my ass....
"NYPD was all over them" - yeah and didn't really do a damn thing. If these guys wanted to - the could have created a major incident with hundreds or thousands of people now dead - all the while NYPD had an excellent view. What the hell is the point of the rule unless you are going to enforce it. and this is one rule where you can't just sit and wait until they land. - that could be WAY too late. Were it me - these assholes would have been vaporized.
Where was CAP?
They key word here is "shoreline."
While the FAA does require an altitude of 1,000 feet above and 2,000 feet horizontal separation in densly populated areas, that rule would not apply to a shoreline.
After 9-11, perhaps poor judgement, but it may not be in violation of the FAA regulations.
However, the 500 foot rule may apply if they flew directly over people.
When flying along, my instructor will cut the engine and I must make an emergency landing. Where I decide to land that aircraft will depend upon the location. It may be a farm road, a crop field, or the center of a divided highway.
This is normal training for all pilots, and getting below 50 feet is not unusual.
While living in New Mexico, my instructor was a Hollywood stunt pilot. He trained me well, and flying 10 feet above the ground over the desert was NORMAL. The first time I took my wife flying, I was flying very low inside of a volcanic crater and she was looking UP at the people ABOVE us, who were standing at the edge of that crater.
Now what these pilots did yesterday may have been stupid, but I am not so sure it was against FAA regulations. I will reserve judgement until all of the facts are in.
Simple observation lately: Why has the news media been focusing upon general aviation lately? Things that you would see every day for years, are now suddenly news?
Why?
MORAIS, ANDRE PAUL
11000 TARPON BAY CTTAMARAC, Florida33321-8847USA
FAA Region: Southern
Medical Class: 1 Date of Last Medical: 9/20/2000 Date of Medical Expiry: 3/20/2001
Pilot:Commercial: Airplane Single Engine LandCommercial: Airplane Multiengine LandCommercial: Instrument Airplane
OLIVERSO, DANIEL
Found: 0 records
With no disrespect intended, they don't qualify for Darwin Awards: According to the rules page of the Official Darwin Awards:
Nominees significantly improve the gene pool by eliminating themselves from the human race in an obviously stupid way. They are self-selected examples of the dangers inherent in a lack of common sense, and all human races, cultures, and socioeconomic groups are eligible to compete.
This usually means the nominee killed himself in an amusing manner. (I say usually because I recall, but cannot find, a nominee who stuck a sawed-off shotgun in his pants and accidentally discharged it, blowing off both testicles. He survived, but removed himself from the genetic pool quite effectively. Also, the rules may have changed since I read this.) The two pilots of the story are alive (and presumably intact); ergo, they are not Darwin Award Nominees.
This example, BTW, has nothing to do with the story, but I still laugh every time I read it.
FReegards,
Slings and Arrows
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