Senator Inhofe Lands on Closed Runway
04-13-2011, 08:22 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Posts: 153
Senator Inhofe Lands on Closed Runway
According to Federal Aviation Administration documents and audiotapes obtained by The Smoking Gun, Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) "scared the crap out of" airport workers at Cameron County Airport in South Texas last October, when he landed his Cessna on a closed runway.
On October 21, 2010, Inhofe landed his plane on a runway that was closed and marked with an X, apparently scattering construction workers and nearly hitting a truck. According to an FAA report, Inhofe noticed the X, but "still elected to land avoiding the men and equipment on the runway."
Shortly after the incident, the man supervising the construction, Sidney Boyd, spoke on the phone with the FAA, and said the landing "scared the crap out of us." (Listen to the audio here.) Boyd said he thought the driver of the truck Inhofe almost hit "actually wet his britches."
"James Inhofe, they tell me he's a Senator from Oklahoma," Boyd can be heard saying.
According to Boyd, Inhofe's plane initially touched down, and then "sky hopped" over six vehicles and personnel working on the runway, before landing for good.
"He was determined to land on that runway come hell or high water, evidently," Boyd said.
In another FAA recording, airport manager Marshall Reece can be heard saying he has "got over 50 years flying, three tours of Vietnam, and I can assure you I have never seen such a reckless disregard for human life in my life."
The FAA report says that Inhofe did not check the Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) indicating the runway closure prior to flying. Back in October, the Senator told The Washington Post he "didn't have a NOTAM." He also told the Post that an airport official, not identified, "hates me, I don't know why."
Another FAA document states that Inhofe admitted he was "showing a new hire employee seated in the right seat how the technology of the cockpit instrumentation worked" just before the incident. The document also states that Inhofe's secretary called the airport the day before the incident, and was not informed of a runway closure.
In a letter dated January 4, 2011, FAA Aviation Safety Inspector Robert J. O'Keefe indicates that Inhofe agreed to a "program of remedial training" as a substitute for legal action on December 9, 2010, and had since submitted evidence of "satisfactory completion" of the training.
On October 21, 2010, Inhofe landed his plane on a runway that was closed and marked with an X, apparently scattering construction workers and nearly hitting a truck. According to an FAA report, Inhofe noticed the X, but "still elected to land avoiding the men and equipment on the runway."
Shortly after the incident, the man supervising the construction, Sidney Boyd, spoke on the phone with the FAA, and said the landing "scared the crap out of us." (Listen to the audio here.) Boyd said he thought the driver of the truck Inhofe almost hit "actually wet his britches."
"James Inhofe, they tell me he's a Senator from Oklahoma," Boyd can be heard saying.
According to Boyd, Inhofe's plane initially touched down, and then "sky hopped" over six vehicles and personnel working on the runway, before landing for good.
"He was determined to land on that runway come hell or high water, evidently," Boyd said.
In another FAA recording, airport manager Marshall Reece can be heard saying he has "got over 50 years flying, three tours of Vietnam, and I can assure you I have never seen such a reckless disregard for human life in my life."
The FAA report says that Inhofe did not check the Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) indicating the runway closure prior to flying. Back in October, the Senator told The Washington Post he "didn't have a NOTAM." He also told the Post that an airport official, not identified, "hates me, I don't know why."
Another FAA document states that Inhofe admitted he was "showing a new hire employee seated in the right seat how the technology of the cockpit instrumentation worked" just before the incident. The document also states that Inhofe's secretary called the airport the day before the incident, and was not informed of a runway closure.
In a letter dated January 4, 2011, FAA Aviation Safety Inspector Robert J. O'Keefe indicates that Inhofe agreed to a "program of remedial training" as a substitute for legal action on December 9, 2010, and had since submitted evidence of "satisfactory completion" of the training.
04-13-2011, 09:28 AM
#3
I'm a man of my word.
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: Devil's Advocate
Posts: 2,883
Inhofe "Scared The Crap Out Of" Airport Workers | The Smoking Gun
Couple of recorded phone calls there with the FAA.
Couple of recorded phone calls there with the FAA.
04-13-2011, 09:45 AM
#4
You scratched my anchor
Joined APC: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,876
Originally Posted by rickair7777
Remedial Training?
For a senator I imagine that's something along the lines of shop talk over drinks and dinner with an FAA bigshot.
For a senator I imagine that's something along the lines of shop talk over drinks and dinner with an FAA bigshot.
04-13-2011, 05:56 PM
#6
pants on the ground
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: back seat
Posts: 1,358
Day late dollar short....glad more info has come out though.
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/ha...liticians.html
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/ha...liticians.html
04-13-2011, 08:06 PM
#8
Line Holder
Joined APC: May 2009
Posts: 79
Aviation standards for Senator Inhofe
"Power corrupts...etc..." Their own aviation system? What if one of us pulled something like this?
Inhofe "Scared The Crap Out Of" Airport Workers
FAA tapes: Senator intentionally landed plane on closed runway
Senator Inhofe Report
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 politician’s 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 pilot’s 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 Inhofe’s 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 Inhofe’s antics “scared the crap out of” workers, adding that the Cessna “damn near hit” a red truck. Referring to the vehicle’s 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.'”
Listen to an excerpt of Boyd’s FAA call here:
During a conversation with a second FAA representative, Boyd said, “As much work as I do on airports and runways, it’s the first time I’ve ever had this happen.” Inhofe, he added, “knew the runway was closed…he started to land on the north end, he just went right over a huge yellow ‘X’ and he was coming down right in the middle of us, and he finally, somebody noticed us waving at him I guess.”
“He sky hopped over us,” said Boyd. “He was determined to land on that runway come hell or high water evidently.” He added, “I’m still shaking…I was in the middle of the runway, I headed for high country.”
Listen to an excerpt of Boyd’s call with the second FAA worker here:
In a recorded conversation with Lee Williams, an FAA quality assurance specialist, airport manager Marshall Reece tore into Inhofe’s piloting. “I’ve got over 50 years flying, three tours of Vietnam,” Reece said, “and I can assure you I have never seen such a reckless disregard for human life in my life.” He then added, “Something needs to be done. This guy is famous for these violations.”
Listen to an excerpt of Reece’s conversation with Williams here:
FAA records indicate that while Inhofe has landed at the Port Isabel airport on more than five occasions, he had not been the subject of prior enforcement actions. When questioned by FAA investigators if there had been any distractions in the cockpit before he landed on the closed runway, Inhofe “did volunteer that he was showing a new hire employee seated in the right seat how the technology of the cockpit instrumentation worked.”
Another recording captured a transmission from an air traffic controller who offered a concise account of Inhofe’s antics flying his 1978 Cessna (tail number N115EA): “N115 Echo Alpha landed right in the middle of them doing their work on runway 1331 and damn near killed somebody out there.”
In a statement today, Inhofe said, "This is an old story, and the FAA and I have long consider the matter closed." Noting that his "dealings with the FAA did not constitute an admission nor an adjudication of a violation," Inhofe added, "I have completed the program required by the FAA, and this matter is over." (5 pages)
Inhofe "Scared The Crap Out Of" Airport Workers
FAA tapes: Senator intentionally landed plane on closed runway
Senator Inhofe Report
-
Senator Inhofe Report
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 politician’s 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 pilot’s 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 Inhofe’s 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 Inhofe’s antics “scared the crap out of” workers, adding that the Cessna “damn near hit” a red truck. Referring to the vehicle’s 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.'”
Listen to an excerpt of Boyd’s FAA call here:
During a conversation with a second FAA representative, Boyd said, “As much work as I do on airports and runways, it’s the first time I’ve ever had this happen.” Inhofe, he added, “knew the runway was closed…he started to land on the north end, he just went right over a huge yellow ‘X’ and he was coming down right in the middle of us, and he finally, somebody noticed us waving at him I guess.”
“He sky hopped over us,” said Boyd. “He was determined to land on that runway come hell or high water evidently.” He added, “I’m still shaking…I was in the middle of the runway, I headed for high country.”
Listen to an excerpt of Boyd’s call with the second FAA worker here:
In a recorded conversation with Lee Williams, an FAA quality assurance specialist, airport manager Marshall Reece tore into Inhofe’s piloting. “I’ve got over 50 years flying, three tours of Vietnam,” Reece said, “and I can assure you I have never seen such a reckless disregard for human life in my life.” He then added, “Something needs to be done. This guy is famous for these violations.”
Listen to an excerpt of Reece’s conversation with Williams here:
FAA records indicate that while Inhofe has landed at the Port Isabel airport on more than five occasions, he had not been the subject of prior enforcement actions. When questioned by FAA investigators if there had been any distractions in the cockpit before he landed on the closed runway, Inhofe “did volunteer that he was showing a new hire employee seated in the right seat how the technology of the cockpit instrumentation worked.”
Another recording captured a transmission from an air traffic controller who offered a concise account of Inhofe’s antics flying his 1978 Cessna (tail number N115EA): “N115 Echo Alpha landed right in the middle of them doing their work on runway 1331 and damn near killed somebody out there.”
In a statement today, Inhofe said, "This is an old story, and the FAA and I have long consider the matter closed." Noting that his "dealings with the FAA did not constitute an admission nor an adjudication of a violation," Inhofe added, "I have completed the program required by the FAA, and this matter is over." (5 pages)
04-14-2011, 05:16 AM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2009
Position: autopilot abuser
Posts: 166
I suppose you're right Hercdriver........
I'm sure anyone of us would be hit immediately with "Careless or Reckless operation" and for sure a certificate action. To say the least a 709 ride.
However, when you are in charge of the FAA's budget and probably on the aviation committee..... uhhh.... well I guess since you make the rules they are there for you to bend and flex as you wish.
I actually think this is a perfect example of how out of touch our politicians really are. They have an attitude of entitlement and one of lawlessness. These people make the rules and yet could careless about following the rules imposed on others themselves. Hercdriver says it's old news.... OK sure. I'll go with that.
Same $#!! different day!!!
I'm sure anyone of us would be hit immediately with "Careless or Reckless operation" and for sure a certificate action. To say the least a 709 ride.
However, when you are in charge of the FAA's budget and probably on the aviation committee..... uhhh.... well I guess since you make the rules they are there for you to bend and flex as you wish.
I actually think this is a perfect example of how out of touch our politicians really are. They have an attitude of entitlement and one of lawlessness. These people make the rules and yet could careless about following the rules imposed on others themselves. Hercdriver says it's old news.... OK sure. I'll go with that.
Same $#!! different day!!!
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