Posted on 05/21/2008 8:20:47 AM PDT by Yo-Yo
Binter Canarias has temporarily grounded an ATR 72 turboprop after an incident in Fuerteventura in which a firearm was accidentally discharged in the cockpit, holing the aircraft's fuselage.
While no official Binter spokesman could be reached for comment, a source at the Spanish regional airline confirms the incident occurred during the boarding process of flight NT221 from Fuerteventura to Gran Canaria two days ago.
A customs official flying on duty, following the established security procedures, handed over his firearm to the captain during the normal passenger boarding process.
For reasons which are “still under investigation”, the arm was apparently discharged by the captain while he was storing the gun, which was loaded and unsecured.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the bullet, after perforating the ATR cockpit, ricocheted from a nearby empty TUIfly Boeing 737-800, although there was no damage to this aircraft and no injury to anyone on the ground.
After the incident, the ATR service was cancelled and its 41 passengers were rebooked to other flights. Binter expects to repair and return the aircraft to normal service "very soon".
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the bullet, after perforating the ATR cockpit, ricocheted from a nearby empty TUIfly Boeing 737-800, although there was no damage to this aircraft and no injury to anyone on the ground.
Boeing builds 'em bullet-proof!
Apparently not. But you can blame it on their irrational fear of guns. The assumption the TSA makes is that the gun is safer in the hands of the pilot than in the holster where the customs official keeps it while performing his duties. The customs official should have been expected to give up the gun IN THE HOLSTER, after having UNLOADED IT prior to boarding.
Where to safely reload it is a separate question that needs a good answer, since chambering a round is a likely time to identify a malfunctioning firearm. If the TSA is going to disarm people, then they need to provide the facilities to allow them to re-arm.
***Binter Canarias has temporarily grounded an ATR 72 turboprop after an incident in Fuerteventura in which a firearm was accidentally discharged in the cockpit, holing the aircraft’s fuselage.***
***Unconfirmed reports indicate that the bullet, after perforating the ATR cockpit, ricocheted from a nearby empty TUIfly Boeing 737-800, although there was no damage to this aircraft and no injury to anyone on the ground.***
Sounds like damage to me.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.