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The First Lady’s Close Call

First Lady Michelle Obama’s plane aborted a landing near Washington on Monday after coming too close to a Military Cargo jet, according to FAA officials.  The First Lady’s plane came within 3 miles of the other aircraft. The FAA requires that distance to be at least 5 miles to avoid dangerous turbulence created by the cargo plane.

FOX’s Doug McKelway explains from Washington DC:

Audio clip:

Audio clip:

Here is the FAA’s Statement on the incident:

FAA controllers at Andrews Air Force Base instructed an incoming Boeing 737 on approach to Runway 19 to perform a “go around” on Monday, April 18, 2011 just after 5 p.m. because the plane did not have the required amount of separation behind a military C17. The FAA is investigating the incident. The Boeing 737 landed safely after executing the go around. The aircraft were never in any danger.

One Comment

  1. Howard Nix

    April 20, 2011 at 10:49 am

    Controllers are fatigued and errors are up because we are having to work 6 day work weeks and 10 hour days due to a staffing crisis. Working more airplanes with less and more inexperienced controllers. I would be glad to give background on this.
    Howie