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Canadian History: 2 Men Arrested in US Capital Plane Scarehttp://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/05/11/Evacuation_050511.html
WASHINGTON - The pilot of a small plane and his passenger are in custody after a Cessna strayed into restricted airspace over Washington, causing the evacuation of the White House and Capitol building during the noon hour on Wednesday.
TV reports showed a man dressed in a T-shirt and shorts in handcuffs being put into a police car after a Cessna was forced to land at an airport in Frederick, Md., north of Washington.
Police meet Cessna on tarmac in Frederick, Md., Wednesday.
At a press briefing later, officials said the plane came within five kilometres of the White House before eventually veering away.
Two fighter jets were dispatched to intercept the Cessna as soon as it flew into the security zone above the capital.
The pilot did not respond to efforts to communicate with him.
"This appears to be errant pilots," said Capitol Police Chief Terence Gainer.
One report has identified the two men as an experienced flight instructor and his student, headed to an air show in North Carolina. The plane is registered to the Vintage Aero Club, a group of 10 people who fly out of the Smoketown airport in Pennsylvania's Lancaster County.
Officials say the president was not at the White House during the emergency period. Vice-President Dick Cheney, Laura Bush and former first lady Nancy Reagan were at the White House and taken to secure locations. Reagan was in town for a special event. Staff in other buildings, such as the Treasury Department and the Supreme Court, were also moved to safer locations.
Grounds of the Capitol building during the evacuation.
The last time this happened, an airplane had also strayed into restricted airspace above the U.S. capital.
"We have to remember we are a nation at war and there are people who will seek an attack on the United States," said White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan.
CNN reports that security officers had yelled at staff and reporters to "run, this is no joke, leave the grounds."
Reports say congressional staff told people to run away from the Capitol building. Staff were allowed to return to their offices 15 minutes later.
(comments? )
Posted by El-Diablo on Wednesday, May 11 @ 14:43:40 CDT
(Global Issues | Score: 0)
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Canadian History: I have said it beforeI have said it befire and I will say it again,
Bruce MacKinnon is the greatest cartoonist ever
Click "Read More" to see why
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Posted by capebretoner on Tuesday, February 22 @ 06:55:52 CST
(Canada | 369 bytes more | comments? | Score: 5)
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