It was really close...

"Sport Pilot" wrote in message
oups.com...
The plane was already 15 miles in a 30 mile zone when the F 16 took off
and was only 3 miles out when intercepted. If this was a terrorist
piloted airliner from Reagan National, takeing a northbound left turn
instead of right. The WH or capitol would be toast.

The F-16s weren't the only line of defense, just the first. There are also
patriot missile batteries and other SAM installations.

It turns out the first line of defense got the job done, and didn't even
kill anybody. I'm not exactly clear what failed except for the Cessna
pilot's navigational skill and the politicians' nerve.

On the other hand, we have the benefit of hindsite. All the people in the
capitol knew is that there was a red alert and that a plane appeared to be
coming directly at them despite rather obvious airspace closures. They
wouldn't have necessarily known whether it was a Cessna or a 747.
Personally, if I thought a 747 might be aimed at my building and mere miles
out, I'd run like hell too. I wouldn't run downstairs...that's where the
fuel leaks and the oxygen burns.

-c