POLITICS
Memo: FAA Knew NYC Flyover in Air Force One Would Cause Panic
2009-04-29 12:38pm
The Federal Aviation Administration knew a photo op flyover in New York City of one of the Air Force One jetliners, accompanied by a pair of F-16 figher jets, would cause widespread panic in the city hit by the 9/11 attacks, but ordered it kept secret anyway, an internal memo revealed Wednesday said.
WCBS-TV in New York City reported that the FAA knew the low-level flyover of the Statue of Liberty by the planes would lead to "the possibility of public concern regarding DOD (Department of Defense) aircraft flying at low altitudes," but ordered the NYPD, the Secret Service, the FBI and even the mayor's office to keep quiet or face possible federal sanctions.
President Obama was reportedly furious over the incident, and some New York lawmakers voiced their displeasure Wednesday as well.
"To say that it should not be made public knowing that it might scare people it's just confounding," U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, a Democrat, said. "It's what gives Washington and government a bad name. It's sheer stupidity."
The flyover was apparently ordered by the White House Office of Military Affairs, WCBS-TV reported. Obama has ordered a probe into the matter.
The report went onto say the flight by the VC-25, a modified Boeing Co. 747, and two F-16 fighter jets cost $328,835, Air Force spokeswoman Vicki Stein said.
(c) 2009 Newsroom.