25th March 2008, 11:13 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney, Hong Kong
Posts: 498
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Pilot's gun fired as plane approaches runway
http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/...014090,00.html
Quote:
Pilot's gun fired as plane approaches runway
By staff writers March 25, 2008 11:14am
A GUN belonging to the pilot of a US Airways plane discharged as the aircraft made its approach to land in the US state of North Carolina.
The "accidental discharge" on Easter Saturday aboard the flight to Denver, Colorado, was not a danger to the aircraft or the 124 passengers, two pilots and three flight attendants aboard, according to Greg Alter of the Federal Air Marshal Service.
It was the first time that a weapon issued under the US post-September 11 program to arm pilots was fired, authorities said. The program allows pilots to use a firearm to defend against any acts of air piracy or criminal violence.
"We know that there was never any danger to the aircraft or to the occupants on board," Mr Alter said.
The Transportation Security Administration is investigating how the gun discharged and is being assisted by the Air Marshal Service.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Mike Fergus said his agency is also investigating to make sure that the plane is safe. The aircraft has been removed from service, according to US Airways.
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