Delta plane escorted back to Atlanta by military jets

DeltaFlot · 01-11-2002, 02:18 PM

January 11, 2002 Posted: 1:07 PM EST (1807 GMT)

ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- Two National Guard fighter jets escorted a Delta Air Lines plane back to Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport on Friday after the plane's transponder malfunctioned shortly after taking off.

The Washington-bound jetliner was intercepted by F-16 jets about 15 minutes after it took off, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command in Colorado.

It landed at Hartsfield about 10 minutes later. All nine passengers were booked on other flights to Washington's Reagan National Airport.

The transponder sends information about a plane's identity, altitude, speed and direction to air traffic controllers. Controllers have been particularly sensitive about transponder data since the September 11 hijackings, when terrorists switched off the transponders before crashing.

During Friday's incident, the Delta pilots were in continuous communication with air traffic controllers, Delta spokeswoman Peggy Estes said.

She said the problem was determined to be a malfunction and the plane, an MD-88, was being repaired and would be to return to service.

The FAA requested the jet escort at 8 a.m., said Marine Corp. Maj. Mike Snyder, a NORAD spokesman. The fighter jets were sent from Robins Air Force Base, south of Macon.

Cadavre on a stick · 01-11-2002, 08:52 PM

Wow, only 9 peeps on board the MD-90. That's gotta hurt. I hope all of Delta's flights aren't running with this light load factor.

01-11-2002, 02:18 PM	#1
DeltaFlot The Patriot Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Laurel, MD Age: 36 Posts: 3,228	Delta plane escorted back to Atlanta by military jets January 11, 2002 Posted: 1:07 PM EST (1807 GMT) ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- Two National Guard fighter jets escorted a Delta Air Lines plane back to Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport on Friday after the plane's transponder malfunctioned shortly after taking off. The Washington-bound jetliner was intercepted by F-16 jets about 15 minutes after it took off, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command in Colorado. It landed at Hartsfield about 10 minutes later. All nine passengers were booked on other flights to Washington's Reagan National Airport. The transponder sends information about a plane's identity, altitude, speed and direction to air traffic controllers. Controllers have been particularly sensitive about transponder data since the September 11 hijackings, when terrorists switched off the transponders before crashing. During Friday's incident, the Delta pilots were in continuous communication with air traffic controllers, Delta spokeswoman Peggy Estes said. She said the problem was determined to be a malfunction and the plane, an MD-88, was being repaired and would be to return to service. The FAA requested the jet escort at 8 a.m., said Marine Corp. Maj. Mike Snyder, a NORAD spokesman. The fighter jets were sent from Robins Air Force Base, south of Macon. __________________ Febuary 15, 1898 December 7, 1941 June 8, 1967 September 11, 2001 Never Forget, Never Forgive If you kick the Tiger in the arse, you better be able to deal with the Tiger's teeth.

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01-11-2002, 08:52 PM	#2
Cadavre on a stick Master Collector Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sin Jose, Ca. USA Posts: 632	Wow, only 9 peeps on board the MD-90. That's gotta hurt. I hope all of Delta's flights aren't running with this light load factor.