Cessna 152 Controls the White House!
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Cessna 152 Controls the White House!
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White House evacuated in plane scare
12 May 2005
WASHINGTON: Fighter jets scrambled over Washington and authorities evacuated the White House early this morning when an unidentified plane roamed into restricted airspace, sparking fears of a September 11-style attack.
The light private Cessna ignored calls from air traffic controllers and entered the restricted air zone around Washington, coming within five kilometres of the White House before turning away, authorities said.
The plane's approach sent two F-16 fighter jets into the air over the US capital and thousands of staff and tourists into the streets outside the White House, Capitol building and Supreme Court in an urgent evacuation.
President George W Bush was on a bicycle ride at a suburban wildlife preserve at the time, but vice-president Dick Cheney was quickly evacuated, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.
First lady Laura Bush and former first lady Nancy Reagan, who was visiting, were rushed to a secure location on the White House grounds, he said.
The two fighters, which scrambled from nearby Andrews Air Force base, intercepted the Cessna and fired four flares to get the pilot's attention before escorting the plane to Frederick, Maryland, officials said. The pilot and a passenger were taken into police custody.
The US Customs service also scrambled Black Hawk helicopters during the alert, which the White House characterized as the most serious since the September 11, 2001, attacks by hijacked airliners in New York and Washington.
"Get out, get out," Capitol police shouted to lawmakers and staff as they moved through the building and adjacent offices, clearing the floors and galleries in both chambers.
US senators debating highway legislation dropped their papers and ran from the chamber. House of Representatives lawmakers were in the midst of a vote when the evacuation order came.
Capitol police swiftly moved senators, aides, lobbyists and journalists toward Union Station, about two blocks away. Police used bullhorns to order onlookers near the Capitol to "stay away from the building."
The incident prompted the government's joint operations centre to send an "alert" to White House staff. "Do not leave building. Proceed to interior halls and lower levels. Avoid windows," the alert read.
The Secret Service and Capitol police gave the "all clear" 15 minutes after the first alert and allowed staff to return to their offices.
The plane, a single-engine two-seater Cessna 152, originated at a small airport in Smoketown, Pennsylvania.
Pilots are not allowed to fly into airspace set up by the Federal Aviation Administration after the September 11 attacks.
If warnings are ignored and the aircraft remains in restricted airspace it could be shot down. All pilots with permission to fly into or through Washington airspace – mainly commercial flights – must transmit special identification codes to air traffic controllers.
Since September 11th, various Capitol buildings have been evacuated for a range of security reasons, from fears of anthrax to bomb threats.
On June 9, 2004, the Capitol also was evacuated after a plane carrying the governor of Kentucky to former President Ronald Reagan's funeral entered the no-fly zone.
The Capitol was also partially evacuated last month when an Australian citizen stood outside the Capitol with two black suitcases and demanded to see Bush.
Capitol Police Chief Terrance Gainer said the evacuation was much more orderly and successful than earlier efforts.
"I've been told it seemed more orderly than when we did this, this past June, during President Reagan's funeral," Gainer said. "I think there was a lot less panic on everybody's part. And I suspect that happens when you have this type of practice, even if we don't want it."
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White House evacuated in plane scare
12 May 2005
WASHINGTON: Fighter jets scrambled over Washington and authorities evacuated the White House early this morning when an unidentified plane roamed into restricted airspace, sparking fears of a September 11-style attack.
The light private Cessna ignored calls from air traffic controllers and entered the restricted air zone around Washington, coming within five kilometres of the White House before turning away, authorities said.
The plane's approach sent two F-16 fighter jets into the air over the US capital and thousands of staff and tourists into the streets outside the White House, Capitol building and Supreme Court in an urgent evacuation.
President George W Bush was on a bicycle ride at a suburban wildlife preserve at the time, but vice-president Dick Cheney was quickly evacuated, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.
First lady Laura Bush and former first lady Nancy Reagan, who was visiting, were rushed to a secure location on the White House grounds, he said.
The two fighters, which scrambled from nearby Andrews Air Force base, intercepted the Cessna and fired four flares to get the pilot's attention before escorting the plane to Frederick, Maryland, officials said. The pilot and a passenger were taken into police custody.
The US Customs service also scrambled Black Hawk helicopters during the alert, which the White House characterized as the most serious since the September 11, 2001, attacks by hijacked airliners in New York and Washington.
"Get out, get out," Capitol police shouted to lawmakers and staff as they moved through the building and adjacent offices, clearing the floors and galleries in both chambers.
US senators debating highway legislation dropped their papers and ran from the chamber. House of Representatives lawmakers were in the midst of a vote when the evacuation order came.
Capitol police swiftly moved senators, aides, lobbyists and journalists toward Union Station, about two blocks away. Police used bullhorns to order onlookers near the Capitol to "stay away from the building."
The incident prompted the government's joint operations centre to send an "alert" to White House staff. "Do not leave building. Proceed to interior halls and lower levels. Avoid windows," the alert read.
The Secret Service and Capitol police gave the "all clear" 15 minutes after the first alert and allowed staff to return to their offices.
The plane, a single-engine two-seater Cessna 152, originated at a small airport in Smoketown, Pennsylvania.
Pilots are not allowed to fly into airspace set up by the Federal Aviation Administration after the September 11 attacks.
If warnings are ignored and the aircraft remains in restricted airspace it could be shot down. All pilots with permission to fly into or through Washington airspace – mainly commercial flights – must transmit special identification codes to air traffic controllers.
Since September 11th, various Capitol buildings have been evacuated for a range of security reasons, from fears of anthrax to bomb threats.
On June 9, 2004, the Capitol also was evacuated after a plane carrying the governor of Kentucky to former President Ronald Reagan's funeral entered the no-fly zone.
The Capitol was also partially evacuated last month when an Australian citizen stood outside the Capitol with two black suitcases and demanded to see Bush.
Capitol Police Chief Terrance Gainer said the evacuation was much more orderly and successful than earlier efforts.
"I've been told it seemed more orderly than when we did this, this past June, during President Reagan's funeral," Gainer said. "I think there was a lot less panic on everybody's part. And I suspect that happens when you have this type of practice, even if we don't want it."
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From AP/Herald
A communications breakdown led federal officials to believe the plane might be targeting the Capitol, but it turned out to be carrying Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher, who had been cleared to fly into the area.
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Obviously Gov Feltcher thought they needed a good ol' dose of fear, get the next defense budget increased... oh I'm too cynical.
A communications breakdown led federal officials to believe the plane might be targeting the Capitol, but it turned out to be carrying Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher, who had been cleared to fly into the area.
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Obviously Gov Feltcher thought they needed a good ol' dose of fear, get the next defense budget increased... oh I'm too cynical.
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Just goes to show what a nonsense all this security paranoia is.
They sure got the government they deserve - so did we it seems.
As George W says: I love Freedom - but none of you can have any!
They sure got the government they deserve - so did we it seems.
As George W says: I love Freedom - but none of you can have any!
The "passenger" was a student pilot. I wonder how he entered this in his logbook?
I'm also surprised they didn't dispatch a helicopter, as that might have had an easier time getting near the Cessna 150 and getting the pilot's attention, but perhaps none were available.
Also, I think they got close enough that they should have been able to see the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument.
I'm also surprised they didn't dispatch a helicopter, as that might have had an easier time getting near the Cessna 150 and getting the pilot's attention, but perhaps none were available.
Also, I think they got close enough that they should have been able to see the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument.
As George W says: I love Freedom - but none of you can have any!
PRESIDENT BUSH: "...By your principled actions, Australia is leading the way to peace in Southeast Asia. And America is grateful.
Together -- (audience interruption) -- Together with my country, with Australia, is promoting greater economic opportunity. Our nations are now working to complete a U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement that will add momentum to the free trade throughout the Asia Pacific region, while producing jobs in our own countries. (Audience interruption.)
SPEAKER ANDREW: Senator Nettle will resume her seat. Sergeant, remove Senator Nettle. Senator Nettle will resume her seat. The President has the call. Senator Nettle is warned. The Sergeant will remove Senator Nettle.
PRESIDENT BUSH: I love free speech. (Laughter.) (While the poor woman is dragged away!)
The relationship between America and Australia is vibrant and vital. Together, we will...bla bla bla."
Anyway back to the subject of things flying where they're not allowed...
Last edited by Blip; 13th May 2005 at 01:37.
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A helicopter ( Blackhawk) actually was despatched and guided the Cessna to an airfield in Maryland. The F16 pilot said later in an interview that they werent the only 'assets' ready and primed to take on the intruder. There are plenty of surface to air missiles in Washington, especially around the Pentagon.
What I find interesting is people saying a small plane couldnt have done much harm, and therefore the response was unjustified. Think about the possibilities and Im surprised they didnt blow him out of the air at ten miles.
What I find interesting is people saying a small plane couldnt have done much harm, and therefore the response was unjustified. Think about the possibilities and Im surprised they didnt blow him out of the air at ten miles.
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Osama and his mates must be laughing their ragheads off.
They don't have to do anything to disrupt Government, just watch dumb (student) and dumber (instructor) blunder into the Washigton TIZ or whatever they call it and bingo the whole thing stops.
Potomac River, the White House, Reflecting Pool, Capitol Hill, Washington National, bloody great obelisk, Pentagon.
Identifying Washington DC from the air is not rocket science, it's like flying over the Harbour, Opera House towards the hangar trying to work out where you are.
They don't have to do anything to disrupt Government, just watch dumb (student) and dumber (instructor) blunder into the Washigton TIZ or whatever they call it and bingo the whole thing stops.
Potomac River, the White House, Reflecting Pool, Capitol Hill, Washington National, bloody great obelisk, Pentagon.
Identifying Washington DC from the air is not rocket science, it's like flying over the Harbour, Opera House towards the hangar trying to work out where you are.
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What I find interesting is people saying a small plane couldnt have done much harm, and therefore the response was unjustified. Think about the possibilities ....
eg: http://www.cityofseattle.net/light/p...aneinwires.jpg
Another sadder example was the kid who essentially bounced his light plane of an office building in Florida soon after 9/11.
However, shooting this week's errant pilots and their C152 down with all those people pouring out of the Capitol Hill buildings and running about in the streets might have been an even sillier idea though!
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FEAR
This story really does not really make sense. It is quite common that pilots in General aviation get lost, so this case. So the protocol and security measures were followed except the strange story about not protecting the President. Two scenarios. 1) Lets pretend it was suspected it was an actual attack. The area would be evacuated and the aircraft would be escorted. The president would have to be informed and brought into safety. Furthermore if it became neccessary to shoot down the civilian airplane only the President could give this order. In this case, similar to Sept 11 the Secret Service failed to protect the President.
2) If it was suspected the aircraft was lost by the Ai Force: The aircraft would have been ecsorted and there would have been no reason to evacuate the area and to inform the President.
I think this is another typical Panic Fear Story, and the Mainstream Media Whore once again hyped without asking the first some questions!
2) If it was suspected the aircraft was lost by the Ai Force: The aircraft would have been ecsorted and there would have been no reason to evacuate the area and to inform the President.
I think this is another typical Panic Fear Story, and the Mainstream Media Whore once again hyped without asking the first some questions!
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ah... the usual list of armchair quarterbacks... i would've done it this way... they should have done this... bunch of stupid government people...ppruners would know what to do..
...hindsight is 20/20
...hindsight is 20/20
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Armchair Quarterbacks
There is no hindsight. If it was a real attack the President would have to be brought in safety and would have to make a decision. But what damage could a C150 do? Obviously it was not see as a threat by the secret Service but still 3000 people got evacuated in panic! While on Sept 11 G.W reads goat stories while America was obviously attacked the Secret Service again saw no threat. Interesting!
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" If it was a real attack the President ..........and would have to make a decision."
That's why the spin doctors insist he not be told.
The buck stops a long way down the tree.
That's why the spin doctors insist he not be told.
The buck stops a long way down the tree.
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152 Turboprop ..........
Poor Sod Not the place to get lost.........But love the Plane Type "Cessna 150 turboprop"
Pilot who flew near White House loses license
24.05.05 11.20am
WASHINGTON - United States authorities revoked the license of a pilot whose small plane flew over Washington this month and triggered a security scare that emptied the White House, Capitol and Supreme Court, officials said.
Promising tough action in response to the May 11 incident, the Federal Aviation Administration yanked Hayden "Jim" Sheaffer’s license for one year. The action was taken on Friday night but not announced until Monday.
Sheaffer, of Lititz, Pennsylvania, can appeal to transportation safety officials or he can wait for a year and apply for a new license. Troy Martin, a student pilot at the controls of the Cessna 150 turboprop, was not disciplined.
It was only the second license revocation in the past year for Washington, DC, airspace violations, which occur twice a day on average, the FAA said. Other pilots have had their licenses suspended for shorter periods.
But the FAA said pre-flight and in-flight actions by Sheaffer, who was in charge of the plane, "severely compromised safety and security".
Regulators alleged Sheaffer did not properly familiarise himself with all of the flight rules for operating near the US capital and made numerous technical and judgment errors during the excursion into prohibited airspace.
At one point, the plane flew over the city. Authorities evacuated the White House, the Capitol complex and the Supreme Court. Homeland security and military aircraft were scrambled to intercept the small plane and force it to land in Maryland.
The FAA said in its order that Sheaffer prepared an incorrect flight plan, used outdated information on airspace restrictions, became lost soon after takeoff from Smoketown, Pennsylvania, and failed to maintain required communication with air traffic controllers.
Regulators also said Sheaffer should have taken over flying from Martin in the dual-control cockpit, but never did.
Sheaffer and Martin were headed from central Pennsylvania to North Carolina.
- REUTERS
Pilot who flew near White House loses license
24.05.05 11.20am
WASHINGTON - United States authorities revoked the license of a pilot whose small plane flew over Washington this month and triggered a security scare that emptied the White House, Capitol and Supreme Court, officials said.
Promising tough action in response to the May 11 incident, the Federal Aviation Administration yanked Hayden "Jim" Sheaffer’s license for one year. The action was taken on Friday night but not announced until Monday.
Sheaffer, of Lititz, Pennsylvania, can appeal to transportation safety officials or he can wait for a year and apply for a new license. Troy Martin, a student pilot at the controls of the Cessna 150 turboprop, was not disciplined.
It was only the second license revocation in the past year for Washington, DC, airspace violations, which occur twice a day on average, the FAA said. Other pilots have had their licenses suspended for shorter periods.
But the FAA said pre-flight and in-flight actions by Sheaffer, who was in charge of the plane, "severely compromised safety and security".
Regulators alleged Sheaffer did not properly familiarise himself with all of the flight rules for operating near the US capital and made numerous technical and judgment errors during the excursion into prohibited airspace.
At one point, the plane flew over the city. Authorities evacuated the White House, the Capitol complex and the Supreme Court. Homeland security and military aircraft were scrambled to intercept the small plane and force it to land in Maryland.
The FAA said in its order that Sheaffer prepared an incorrect flight plan, used outdated information on airspace restrictions, became lost soon after takeoff from Smoketown, Pennsylvania, and failed to maintain required communication with air traffic controllers.
Regulators also said Sheaffer should have taken over flying from Martin in the dual-control cockpit, but never did.
Sheaffer and Martin were headed from central Pennsylvania to North Carolina.
- REUTERS
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@ Druglord
Interesting name? Fat man documentary? Dick Cheney or who? You should know by now that the only person in the USA who had the authority to shoot down a civilian aircraft is the US president. Well he couldn't give the order on Sept 11 because he was reading goat stories, while airliners crash into New York and Washington, the last Boeing crashed into the Pentagon over an hour after the first crash, no airforce in sight!
