Small plane violates D.C. airspace, forced down in Frederick

[will744]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/crime-scene/maryland/small-plane-violates-dc-airspa.html

[NeedleNose]

Small plane violates D.C. airspace, forced down in Frederick

The Federal Aviation Administration says it is investigating a restricted airspace violation by small plane that came within 30 miles of the nation’s capital.

Spokesman Jim Peters said Wednesday the single-engine Cessna 172 was flying from the New York area when it crossed in and out of restricted airspace northwest of Washington several times around 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The FAA alerted the North American Aerospace Defense Command, which says it sent two Coast Guard helicopters to intercept the plane and escort it to the Frederick Municipal Airport.

The FAA holds pilots responsible for knowing about restricted airspaces. Peters says penalties range from a warning letter to a license revocation or fine.

“it crossed in and out of restricted airspace northwest of Washington several times”

Sounds like the guy was trying to skirt the airspace but crossed the fine line a few times?

[redlegsfan21]

Funny how they sent helicopters instead of the usual F-16.

[will744]

@redlegsfan21

Funny how they sent helicopters instead of the usual F-16.

Helicopter can out run a 172…

[dorishd0]

but can it shoot it down if need be

[azav8r]

@dorishd0

but can it shoot it down if need be

.50 cal in the side doorway.

[Beechluvr]

@dorishd0

but can it shoot it down if need be

I would venture to say …easily.

Specially equipped with M-16 rifles, an M240 machine gun and the RC50 laser sighted 50-caliber precision rifle.

[WiserTime07]

@dorishd0

but can it shoot it down if need be

One of these can:

[wazzu90]

@azav8r

@dorishd0

but can it shoot it down if need be

.50 cal in the side doorway.

That should do the trick.

[will744]

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/black-hawk-10.jpg

I know that’s an AGM-114, but it can do the same with an AIM-9…

[AirmanElmo]

Is anyone else disappointed to not hear what “forced down” means in this case? “Forced down” has a broad range of possibilities from buzzing the guy, and chewing him out on 121.5 all the way up to disassembling the a/c using Aim-120 AMRAAM’s designed to seek and destroy Gen 5 fighter aircraft.

[FlyNYC]

@Beechluvr

@dorishd0

but can it shoot it down if need be

I would venture to say …easily.

http://i44.tinypic.com/2ik9q1v.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/2ln8y2q.jpg

Specially equipped with M-16 rifles, an M240 machine gun and the RC50 laser sighted 50-caliber precision rifle.

Unfortunately, the “Stingray” no longer exists with the Coast Guard. They were returned in 2008 when the lease agreement expired. The augmented Dauphin, the MH-65C, took over the HITRON role.

However, IIRC, the aircraft being assigned to the DC airspace are regular fleet birds with additional crew and weapons aboard.

[flyboy97222]

@linemanKMFD

Is anyone else disappointed to not hear what “forced down” means in this case? “Forced down” has a broad range of possibilities from buzzing the guy, and chewing him out on 121.5 all the way up to disassembling the a/c using Aim-120 AMRAAM’s designed to seek and destroy Gen 5 fighter aircraft.

If he was smart enough to monitor 121.5

My #2 is always tuned into 121.5

[JHEM]

@FlyNYC

However, IIRC, the aircraft being assigned to the DC airspace are regular fleet birds with additional crew and weapons aboard.

Correct, they’re “only” carrying M-60s or SAWs now.

[NeedleNose]

Anyone know of any source that reveals the resolution of these incidents. I’m curious to know specific details of the incidents and punishments the pilts received.