April 19th, 2011
06:17 PM ET
5 years ago
Michelle Obama's plane aborted landing when cargo plane got too close
Washington (CNN) - A plane carrying Michelle Obama had to abort its landing on Monday after it came too close to a military C-17 cargo plane, according to a senior administration official and the Federal Aviation Administration.
The planes were three miles apart, when they are supposed to be five miles apart, the official told CNN. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating what went wrong, as it is believed to be an air traffic controller mistake.
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these air traffic controllers very trusting huh ?
Glad she's safe and the crew of both planes are OK.
Thankful our First Lady was not hurt or any of the others on the plane. Those who want to wish her evil go right ahead but remember the next time it could be YOU.
Yet another air traffic controller mistake and this one almost took out the first lady. These air traffic controllers are under attack and this situation is really going to make things worse than they are.
Wonder how Obummie feels about his incompetent lazy union bums in the air controller tower now?
Yes, 3 miles is within the mandated 5 miles separation. However, both aircraft were on approach to landing (lower airspeed), the wingtip vortices are greatly reduced by the winglets on the C-17, and the wingtip vortices are also 'dropping' to the ground and at a higher rate than if they were at altitude (at higher air speeds). Consequently, the explanation given by the FAA is a CYA and treats the general public as ignorant. They weren't in any danger; they just don't like to land aircraft so close together – a minute apart is more than enough.