Pilot's gun fires on US Airways flight

[x635 4,066]

I didn't know they were issuing guns to pilots.

Pilot's gun fires on US Airways flight

By GEORGE MERRITT, Associated Press Writer

3-24-08

A gun belonging to the pilot of a US Airways plane went off as the aircraft was on approach to land in North Carolina over the weekend, the first time a weapon issued under a federal program to arm pilots was fired, authorities said Monday.

The "accidental discharge" Saturday aboard Flight 1536 from Denver to Charlotte did not endanger the aircraft or the 124 passengers, two pilots and three flight attendants aboard, said Greg Alter of the Federal Air Marshal Service.

FULL STORY: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080325/ap_on_re_us/gun_on_plane

[JCESU 20]

Yes, I believe it's a pilot program.

[xfirefighter484x 234]

Yes, I believe it's a pilot program.

**GROOOOOAN**

That was a painful one. Lol, but it did get a laugh out of me.

[Guest]

according to cbs, no passenger even knew of the shot

[trauma74 111]

IT happens. You never hear about the "misfires" that cops have had in the PD stations.

[210 91]

IT happens. You never hear about the "misfires" that cops have had in the PD stations.

Misfire=Weapon does not fire

[helicopper 1,050]

IT happens. You never hear about the "misfires" that cops have had in the PD stations.

The "accidental discharges" that you're referring to are a result of handling the firearm - they don't just go off spontaneously (and 210 is right - a misfire is when a gun fails to fire as intended). This begs to question: why was the pilot handling the firearm in the first place?

I've had mixed feelings about the Federal Flight Deck Officer program since it started because you're essentially giving a gun to a civilian with no training - sorry, but 40 hours of training (not 40 hours of RANGE TIME but a total of 40 hours of training) does not prepare someone for making a shoot/don't shoot decision aboard an aircraft loaded with passengers and then making the shot intended. I like the idea of Air Marshalls or other law enforcement officials being armed aboard the plane but the pilots need to be flying the aircraft.

I'm sure this will be swept under the proverbial rug because neither the airline, the pilot's union, or the TSA want this to become a major issue - especially in an election year.

[helicopper 1,050]

For those unfamiliar with the FFDO program, this is the information publicly available from the TSA about it:

(not subject to copyright/reprinting limitations)

Overview

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks tragically demonstrated the need for a multi-layered approach to securing commercial airliners -- and in particular the cockpit -- from terrorist and criminal assault. In addition to improved security at airport checkpoints, the use of federal air marshals, and the hardening of cockpit doors, the Transportation Security Administration developed the Federal Flight Deck Officer program as an additional layer of security.

Under this program, eligible flight crew members are authorized by the Transportation Security Administration to use firearms to defend against an act of criminal violence or air piracy attempting to gain control of an aircraft. A flight crew member may be a pilot, flight engineer or navigator assigned to the flight.

In December 2003, President George W. Bush signed into law legislation that expanded program eligibility to include cargo pilots and certain other flight crewmembers.

Federal Flight Deck Officers are trained on the use of firearms, use of force, legal issues, defensive tactics, the psychology of survival and program standard operating procedures. Flight crew members participating in the program are not eligible for compensation from the Federal Government for services provided as a Federal Flight Deck Officer.

To be eligible to volunteer for and participate in the Federal Flight Deck Officer program you must:

• Have and maintain a current FAA Airman's certificate.

• Have and maintain a current Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificates.

• Be a U.S. citizen.

• Be an eligible flight crew member flying for an eligible passenger or cargo air carrier:

For Passenger Flight Crew Members: You must currently be employed by a passenger air carrier or private charter company operated under 49 CFR part 1544 (i.e. passengers are screened by TSA).

For Cargo Flight Crew Members: You must currently be employed by a cargo air carrier operating aircraft with a gross takeoff weight in excess of 100,000 pounds (45,500 kilograms, or 100,309.8 lbs) and serve as a flight crew member for aircrafts of that weight.

Selection for FFDO Training

To be selected for Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) training by TSA you must:

• Successfully complete all selection assessments including any specified psychological, medical or physical ability requirements.

• Be determined to meet all established standards by TSA.

• Be available to attend the FFDO training program in its entirety on your own time and at your own expense within one year from your acceptance in the program (the cost of the training and equipment are covered by TSA; volunteers are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and daily expenses).

Training

Initial training will be conducted in a one-week session that will typically require volunteers to arrive mid-afternoon on a Sunday and remain through the conclusion of training the following Saturday afternoon.

• All trainees must remain and be present for the entire training session.

• All trainees must attend the training on their own time and at their own expense (out-of-pocket expenses are estimated to be $200, plus travel).

• The training is physically demanding. It is recommended that volunteers for the FFDO program be of average to above average physical fitness to avoid any potential for injury. A recommended pre-training fitness program will be made available upon request after acceptance in the program.

• All trainees must participate and successfully pass required bi-annual firearms re-qualification activities on their own time and at their own expense.

Successful completion of all training curriculum is required for deputation.

Much of the information related to this program is considered to be Sensitive Security Information and cannot be disclosed publicly by either program participants or the Federal Government. The following additional information is releasable and provided for interested volunteers to review and consider prior to submitting an application.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will protect the records of Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) applicants and FFDOs from public disclosure to the full extent of the law and in accordance with required procedures. A recommendation by the volunteer's employing air carrier will be obtained during the selection process. The air carrier may choose not to make a recommendation on your behalf. TSA will decide whether a pilot is qualified for the program (i.e. air carriers do not have a "veto") and a no recommendation from the air carrier does not prevent your participation in the program.

Deputation

• TSA will determine which volunteers may be deputized as FFDOs. Deputation may be granted only after successfully completing all phases of the application process, up to and including the required training program.

• Initial deputation will be for a period of five years unless suspended or revoked by the program. Additional periods of deputation will require program management review, in addition to required background updates.

Law Enforcement

• FFDOs are considered Federal law enforcement officers only for the limited purposes of carrying firearms and using force, including lethal force, to defend the flight deck of an aircraft from air piracy or criminal violence.

• FFDOs are not granted or authorized to exercise other law enforcement powers such as the power to make arrests, or seek or execute warrants for arrest, or seizure of evidence, or to otherwise act as Federal law enforcement outside the jurisdiction of aircraft flight decks.

• FFDOs are issued credentials to appropriately identify themselves to law enforcement and security personnel, as required in the furtherance of their mission.

• FFDOs are issued firearms and other necessary equipment by TSA.

• FFDOs are responsible for the readiness and daily security of their firearms, credentials and equipment.

• FFDOs are authorized to transport secured firearms in any state for a flight on which they are flying to or from as approved by TSA as necessary for their participation and activities in the program.

Rights and Responsibilities

• The purchase, possession and use of drugs and alcohol are restricted for FFDOs any time they are in possession of an issued firearm and for a period of time before transporting the firearm.

• FFDOs must submit to inspection of their credentials as needed by authorized TSA employees and law enforcement officers when acting in the capacity of an FFDO.

• FFDOs may be suspended or removed from the program and/or fined civil penalties for program violations.

• FFDOs and air carriers employing FFDOs are not eligible for compensation from the government for participation in any aspect of the program.

• It is not required that Air carriers provide their flight crew members time off outside normally scheduled days off for FFDO training and activities.

A federal flight deck officer shall not be liable for damages in any action brought in a federal or state court arising out of acts or omissions of the officer defending the flight deck of an aircraft against acts of criminal violence or air piracy unless the officer is guilty of gross negligence and/or willful misconduct.