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Inhofe "Scared The Crap Out Of" Airport Workers | The Smoking Gun
[audio of workers at site]
APRIL 13--Newly released Federal Aviation Administration documents and audiotapes shed a scary new light on a bizarre incident late last year during which U.S. Senator James Inhofe landed his Cessna on a closed runway at a south Texas airport, scattering construction workers who ran for their lives as the politicians plane hopscotched over them and six vehicles.
The FAA material, provided in response to a TSG Freedom of Information Act request, details how Inhofe, 76, chose to land on the main runway at the Cameron County Airport on October 21 despite being aware that it was closed and had a large X on its threshold.
The politician, the FAA investigation determined, still elected to land avoiding the men and the equipment on the runway. In a bid to avoid legal enforcement action, Inhofe, who has a commercial pilots license, agreed to complete a program of remedial training, according to an FAA letter sent in January to Inhofe, a third-term Republican senator from Oklahoma. Inhofe is pictured at right.
Shortly after Inhofe landed, Sidney Boyd, who was supervising construction on the closed runway, called the FAA to report that Inhofes plane, a twin-engine six-seater, initially touched down on the runway and then 'sky hopped' over the six vehicles and personnel working on the runway, and then landed.
During the call, which was recorded by the FAA, Boyd said Inhofes antics scared the crap out of workers, adding that the Cessna damn near hit a red truck. Referring to the vehicles driver, Boyd added, I think he actually wet his britches, he was scared to death. I mean, hell, he started trying to head for the side of the runway. The pilot could see him, or he should have been able to, he was right on him.
Boyd also said that Inhofe showed little contrition following the close call. He come over here and started being like, 'What the hell is this? I was supposed to have unlimited airspace.'
<more>
[audio of workers at site]
APRIL 13--Newly released Federal Aviation Administration documents and audiotapes shed a scary new light on a bizarre incident late last year during which U.S. Senator James Inhofe landed his Cessna on a closed runway at a south Texas airport, scattering construction workers who ran for their lives as the politicians plane hopscotched over them and six vehicles.
The FAA material, provided in response to a TSG Freedom of Information Act request, details how Inhofe, 76, chose to land on the main runway at the Cameron County Airport on October 21 despite being aware that it was closed and had a large X on its threshold.
The politician, the FAA investigation determined, still elected to land avoiding the men and the equipment on the runway. In a bid to avoid legal enforcement action, Inhofe, who has a commercial pilots license, agreed to complete a program of remedial training, according to an FAA letter sent in January to Inhofe, a third-term Republican senator from Oklahoma. Inhofe is pictured at right.
Shortly after Inhofe landed, Sidney Boyd, who was supervising construction on the closed runway, called the FAA to report that Inhofes plane, a twin-engine six-seater, initially touched down on the runway and then 'sky hopped' over the six vehicles and personnel working on the runway, and then landed.
During the call, which was recorded by the FAA, Boyd said Inhofes antics scared the crap out of workers, adding that the Cessna damn near hit a red truck. Referring to the vehicles driver, Boyd added, I think he actually wet his britches, he was scared to death. I mean, hell, he started trying to head for the side of the runway. The pilot could see him, or he should have been able to, he was right on him.
Boyd also said that Inhofe showed little contrition following the close call. He come over here and started being like, 'What the hell is this? I was supposed to have unlimited airspace.'
<more>
