Posted on 04/06/2009 7:17:48 PM PDT by MindBender26
Over the skies of the Midwest, two F-16 fighter jets are escorting a private Cessna 172 aircraft stolen from a flight school in Ontario, Canada, whose pilot has been unresponsive to multiple requests that he establish communications with ground controllers.
The plane entered American airspace over Michigan's Upper Peninsula at 3:25 p.m. today and has been trailed by the military aircraft since 4:43 p.m. as it has flown over Minnesota, south through Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri. The aircraft went past St. Louis flew south over eastern Missouri towards Arkansas. At one point, the Wisconsin state capitol building in Madison was evacuated as a precaution as the plane flew over the city.
In a statement released later today, the college said it was working with local police "to recover the airplane and identify the individual flying the airplane."
Details are scarce as to the identity of the pilot, but NORAD spokesman Michael Kucharek said the pilot is a student at the flight school and that his motives are unknown. The F-16 pilots have made visual contact with the pilot and "know that the person that's flying the aircraft knows that the [F-16] aircraft are there, [he] is unresponsive to their non-verbal directions and is not in contact with the FAA controllers," Kucharek said.
FAA officials also said the Cessna's pilot has not responded to their repeated efforts to hail him on all radio frequencies.
When asked if the fighter jets might have to shoot down the aircraft if it shows hostile intent, Kucharek told ABC News that could happen. "NORAD pilots, once authorized by higher authority, are authorized to use everything within their power to protect U.S. citizens, up to and including lethal force," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
And we al know the only time they decline to give the country of origin, that country is a muslim one.
Can an F-16 actually remain airborne at the speeds that the Cessna operates at?
Cessnas are sloooow.
You got a point there. They’d probably have to do some serious circling of the target. the Cessna would then out-distance them, fuel-wise, maybe, but what do I know about such things.
Pilot was born in Turkey; moved to Canada in 2008.
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One of thousands. It’s only a matter of time. They see weakness and they smell blood. They are on the move.
There was a plane that flew past the best of the best of Russias SAMs all the way to Red Square, and some years ago a plane actually flew onto the grounds of the Whitehouse causing minor damage to the facade.
A small aircraft like this can evade detection and could deliver a weapon such as a tactical backpack nuke or a dirty bomb or a biological weapon.
Yes they can. Or, they can swoop around and be at your six all day.
The F-16 pilots should have showered him in chaff. Then shower him in flares.
No reaction? Afterburner him.
Then take him out.
But, they gotta follow orders and all that.
Cessna 400 is fast.............................. 238 kts @ 10,000 amsl
okay. granted. not all Cessnas are slow.
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