February 11, 2009 4:49 PM
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NASA: Small Plane Won't Disrupt Launch
French President Francois Hollande addresses reporters during a joint press conference with Benin and African Union President Thomas Boni Yayi, left, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Tuesday May 29, 2012. Francois Hollande says Syria's ambassador is being expelled amid continuing violence by Syrian government forces against civilians and opposition members. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon) (Jacques Brinon)
A pilot in a single-engine plane entered restricted air space over the Kennedy Space Center and was escorted down Tuesday, officials said. The incident did not disrupt the planned launch of space shuttle Atlantis next month.
The plane "was within sight of the launch pad," said NASA spokesman George Diller.
The restricted air space is about 10 miles by 30 miles and is clearly marked on air charts, Diller said. Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, pilots have not been allowed within the area at any time.
"He clearly should have known," Diller said.
A sheriff's office helicopter from Volusia County escorted the plane down to the Ormond Beach Municipal Airport, where it was searched for explosives and drugs, said sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson. Nothing suspicious was detected, he said.
The pilot was not immediately identified. He was being interviewed by FBI agents and had not been taken into custody by midday, Davidson said.
© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The plane "was within sight of the launch pad," said NASA spokesman George Diller.
The restricted air space is about 10 miles by 30 miles and is clearly marked on air charts, Diller said. Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, pilots have not been allowed within the area at any time.
"He clearly should have known," Diller said.
A sheriff's office helicopter from Volusia County escorted the plane down to the Ormond Beach Municipal Airport, where it was searched for explosives and drugs, said sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson. Nothing suspicious was detected, he said.
The pilot was not immediately identified. He was being interviewed by FBI agents and had not been taken into custody by midday, Davidson said.
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