Pilot's gun discharges on US Airways flight

[Hazcat]

CHARLOTTE, N.C.-- A US Airways pilot’s gun accidentally discharged during a flight from Denver to Charlotte Saturday, according to a statement released by the airline.

The statement said the discharge happened on Flight 1536, which left Denver at approximately 6:45 a.m. and arrived in Charlotte at approximately 11:51 a.m.

The Airbus A319 plane landed safely and none of the flight’s 124 passengers or five crew members was injured, according to the statement. It was a full flight. An airline spokeswoman said the plane has been taken out of service to make sure it is safe to return to flight.

A Transportation Safety Administration spokeswoman reached by WCNC Sunday said the pilot is part of TSA’s Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program, which trains pilots to carry guns on flights. Andrea McCauley said the gun discharged in the cockpit, but she could not release how the gun was being transported at the time. She did not release the pilot’s name, but said he was authorized to carry the weapon and was last requalified in the FFDO program last November.

A statement from TSA said the airplane was never in danger, and the TSA and the Federal Air Marshals Service are investigating the incident.

http://www.wcnc.com/news/topstories/stories/wcnc-032308-sjf-gunonplane.1c4cabd1.html

[Hazcat]

This is really going to help. 

As we all know a gun does NOT accidentally discharge.  Somebody had their finger where it shouldn't be, when it shouldn't be!  But it always reads "X's gun accidentally discharges" not "X accidentally discharges gun" which would be the truth!  It's always blame the gun instead of blame the idiot with the gun.

[jaybet]

I would think that what the media should focus on is the fact that if the guy can't handle a handgun safely, what the HELL is he doing flying a state of the art passenger jet with hundreds on board?

[Hazcat]

I would think that what the media should focus on is the fact that if the guy can't handle a handgun safely, what the HELL is he doing flying a state of the art passenger jet with hundreds on board?

Jaybeth,

There you go thinking logically again!    That story couldn't be used to advance the antis agenda nearly so well as a gun that goes off by itself!

[CurrieS103]

There was lots of times I really wanted shoot one of my jets, on the ground maybe, never in the air.  This idiot overrode the guns' #1 safety...his finger.  The FAA and NTSB are really going to be scratching their heads on this one for a while.  I see a congressional coming with this.  Its an election year...they have to make it look like they have done something during this term.

[Sponsor]

[DDMac]

The airlines will never allot sufficient time for pilots (brother is one) to train and maintain competency with a firearm to the level necessary to overcome a determined hijacking plot. Just ain't gonna happen. NC recently passed an exemption to the CCW laws, allowing State court judges to carry concealed while on the bench. Lunacy, in my opinion. It's like a public range, where the public is the backstop.
Mac.

[Outlaw]

Scenario:  Hey guys, look at my new toy! Sure, you can hold it but whatever you do, don't **BANG**. Oh $hit, what'll we do now. Damn good thing it wasn't aimed at the windshield   

[Hazcat]

That's entirely possible, Outlaw.

[cookie62]

Here hold my beer.................



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[jaybet]

This is going bad....I just thought of some really evil stuff. "This is my rifle, this is my gun...."
Fly the friendly skies.