cessna flies into restricted space w/narcotics

[rbridges]

http://news.yahoo.com/fighters-intercept-cessna-approaching-air-force-one-225144591--abc-news.html

 

I guess drug traffickers don't check TFRs.  

 

SAN FRANCISCO - As Air Force One sat on the tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport this morning, the North American Aerospace Defense Command scrambled two F-16 fighter jets to intercept a small private plane that had invaded the airspace.

The disturbance occurred just minutes before President Obamawas scheduled to depart for San Francisco. His plane ultimately took off at 11:40 a.m. PST without incident.

The jets intercepted the general aviation plane - a Cessna 182 - just before 11:30 a.m. PST, according to a statement from NORAD.  It was soon forced to land at Long Beach Airport and  met by local law enforcement officials and the U.S. Secret Service, agency spokesman Brian Leary told ABC News.

Agents interviewed the pilots before they were turned over to the Long Beach Police Department and arrested, an official said.

"We determined the incursion of restricted airspace was of no protective interest," said Leary. In other words, no intended threat to the president.

But the pilot was in possession of narcotics, the Secret Service said.

One law enforcement source told ABC the plane was carrying 40 pounds of marijuana. Officials with the Long Beach Police Department did not immediately respond to ABC News' request to confirm the type or quantity of the drugs.

President Obama landed in San Francisco after an uneventful one-hour flight at 12:40 p.m. PST. He is attending three fundraisers in the city before heading to Seattle on Friday.

[co2bruce]

I read this, what a dumb ass. It reflects badly on all pilots on so many levels ( LOL )

[John Pleisse]

I garantee all that weed was for the Barbara Streisand fundraiser.

 

[flyboy0681]

Phew, for a minute there I thought John and Martha were on another one of their outings.

[rbridges]

I wish I could have heard the thoughts going through his head when the F-16s showed up.

[74657]

..........They probably wondered how the Air Force found out about their side-hustle.

[PilotDerek]

This is another black eye for GA in Socal this year. There was a pilot busted for transporting illegals in a rented C-172 and now this.

[aviatoreb]

Quote: rbridges

http://news.yahoo.com/fighters-intercept-cessna-approaching-air-force-one-225144591--abc-news.html

 

I guess drug traffickers don't check TFRs.  

 

[Piloto]

Quote: rbridges

http://news.yahoo.com/fighters-intercept-cessna-approaching-air-force-one-225144591--abc-news.html

 

 

President Obama landed in San Francisco after an uneventful one-hour flight at 12:40 p.m. PST. He is attending three fundraisers in the city before heading to Seattle on Friday.

[flyboy0681]

Quote: Piloto

Well that's one way of using your tax money. Forget the bus lets go on the B747 and save campain money. I am surprise how a candidate can use expensive gov. resources for his campain, while the other candidates have to pay for charter planes. This is an unfair practice for the other candidates. I would lobby for a change that requires all candidates (including the president) to pay for their transportation costs. Who knows may be this way Obama would be motivated to fly on Mooneys.

Jose

 

[aviatoreb]

Quote: Piloto

Well that's one way of using your tax money. Forget the bus lets go on the B747 and save campain money. I am surprise how a candidate can use expensive gov. resources for his campain, while the other candidates have to pay for charter planes. This is an unfair practice for the other candidates. I would lobby for a change that requires all candidates (including the president) to pay for their transportation costs. Who knows may be this way Obama would be motivated to fly on Mooneys.

Jose