CNN: Man Held in Custody at Frederick, MD Airport, Re: D.C. Plane Scare

Wednesday, May 11, 2005 | Kristinn

[Gunrunner2]

Clear, VFR, not talking to anybody. . .wander into restricted airspace that is easily defined by highly visible geographical features. . .I'd say that was pretty much the actions of an idiot. Flying in the DC area requires special vigilance because of the high state of alert and the two people on-board, one an instructor pilot no less, acted foolishly. Claiming lost (according to news reports), they flew south into an area they knew was dangerous. Instead of doing the smart thing, calling someone or turning back north, they continued south.

Their actions do indicate a level of incompetence that if not idiotic, is certainly foolish to the point Darwin will take notice. Flying is very unforgiving.

Flying has been my world since I was 17, and experience in that world gives me the right to comment on what I know. . .apparently you know nothing about that world. Have a nice day and buh-bye.

[weegee]

Update:

The men were identified as Hayden Sheaffer of Lititz, Pa., and Troy Martin of Akron, Pa., who were on their way to an air show in Lumberton, N.C.

Homeland Security officials said the alarm marked the first time the public has been told that terror alert levels were raised to red.

At the White House, the Secret Service raised the alert level to red for eight minutes, starting at 12:03 p.m., as the Cessna moved within 10 miles, presidential spokesman Scott McClellan said. Vice President Dick Cheney, first lady Laura Bush and former first lady Nancy Reagan, overnighting at the White House for a special event, were moved to secure locations.


http://www.sierratimes.com/rss/newswire.php?article=/news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050512/ap_on_go_pr_wh/capital_alert&time=1115879887&feed=us

[weegee]

So leftists are free to ask questions at press conferences but not journalists from Talon News?

At least Talon (independent of the WH), was pointing the journalists to real stories.

[Americanexpat]

"Golly, I hope there's no racial profiling going on. Because that would be like, like, bad."

He was probably Caucasian, male and at least 50 years old, of course there was racial profiling. /Sarcasm

[HairOfTheDog]

As usual you're the lone voice of common sense in this vast wilderness - well almost.

Wow - Thanks!

Am I almost common sensical or almost the only one? ;~D

[CarryaBigStick]

Yeah, idiot, big time. Make that idiots, there were two of them aboard.

[2Jedismom]

I thought it went real well...the evacuations looked swift and smooth.

Hey, did those guys get in any trouble? The news didn't say so last night...only that they were detained, then later released after it was determined that it was just a "mistake".

I turned left onto a road only to find when I was out there that there was a dividing median...I swiftly completed my turn (going the wrong way on the road for about 5 seconds) and went to the next open area and got on the right side of the road.

Wouldn't cha know it...there was Mr. Policeman, right there to get me. Gave me a $57 ticket for that little "Mistake".

[HairOfTheDog]

The guys don't appear to be in criminal trouble.

The instructor might have some trouble with his instructor ticket. He might lose it, or they may require some kind of remedial training and review.

[2Jedismom]

Well they better at least give him a $57 ticket for going the wrong direction!

;-)

[HairOfTheDog]

Just to be fair, you know.

I turned down a one way street in Seattle once... I hate cities with all one way streets ;~D

[Smokin' Joe]

This incident made us look ridiculous.

Maybe that was the intent.

A few episodes of looking like panicked nutcases might either take the 'edge' off of security for an attack or to provide the media with a convenient set of images to ressurect for the next election cycle.

After all, their wonderful selves were not a priority item on the 'must save' list.

[cynicom]

With your self stated expertise, I expected that Rumsfeld would call you to Washington for consultation. If he does, perhaps the terms such as idiot would not be appropriate. You might try to be a little more professional.

[Gunrunner2]

Hey CarryaBigStick, we need to be more professional.

I suppose that means we better wear a tie when we post.

;-)

Cyni;

If Rummy gave me a call over this incident I'd tell him the same thing I posted here; the guys were idiots, and Rummy would likely agree (he's a plain-words kind of guy).

My post, as well as CarryaBigStick's post 306, was based upon personal experience and knowledge regarding the subject at hand (flying). And in our collective opinion the guys were idiots.

Of course, you are free to disagree with our assessment. What do we know, we are just pilots that know the environment.

Have a great day.

[Feiny]

Good point....but they aren't even bringing charges against these 2 in the plane. I think that is a mistake.

[Mamzelle]

You're darn tootin' it's a mistake. Let's get the erstwhile pilots out around the Capitol, dress 'em up in their natty flight jackets and long, flowing Red Baron scarves, line up a gauntlet of disgruntled government employees--and let them kick the pilots' butts all the way to the WH.

[narby]

Aeronaut;

Has anyone brought up the possibility that this was a "publicity stunt" by the federal security apparatus?

Within the last few weeks, AOPA has been saying that they were close to a final arrangement that would get access back for the DC-3 airports locked within the Washington airspace. I've got to think that GA aircraft have gotten this close before, yet this is the first time the panic button was pushed.

This wouldn't be the first time the feds have done such a thing. The "Waco" incident obviously started as publicity for the BATF, where they brought in media people up front, and staged an operation in front of cameras totally unnecessary to arrest one guy.

If we can stir up some pajamahadeen, here's some questions:

Have GA aircraft penetrated this close before? How many and when?

What is the status of the DC-3 airports, and what was the proposed "solution" that AOPA was talking about?

Who pushed the panic button yesterday?

Thanks for the ping list, and I hope we can get some answers.

[narby]

I'll answer my own question:

Have GA aircraft penetrated this close before? How many and when?

Two incidents I can think of. There was a motorcade with the president that was directly flown over by a cropduster, I think it was. Something like a year ago.

During the 2004 campaign, someone flew within a mile of a campaign stop with a stadium of people. I think the CAP chased him away, but not before he turned around a couple of times, like the guy did yesterday. I don't think Bush was even taken off the stage by the SS.

I've got to think that the DC area has had at least some incursions before.

Again the question: Why was the panic button pressed yesterday?

[cyberaxe]

.....pretty much sums it up.....