Iraq-stamped plane lands in Fla., causes stir

[unhappycamper]

Iraq-stamped plane lands in Fla., causes stir
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Feb 22, 2008 6:29:09 EST

SEBRING, Fla. — No one knew what to make of it when a small propeller airplane stenciled with the words “Iraqi Air Force” made an emergency landing on a country road near the rural Florida community of Sebring.

Local sheriff’s deputies surrounded the aircraft and stopped journalists from photographing it. The plane’s markings were covered.

As it turns out, it was a training aircraft built for the Iraqi military that was being flown from the Tampa area to Miami for shipment to Iraq, Cessna spokesman Doug Oliver said Thursday.

The Cessna C-172 experienced mechanical problems, and the pilot was forced to land on a rural road just north of Lake Okeechobee on Wednesday evening, according to Federal Aviation Administration records.

The four-seat, single-engine plane was a part of a $10.5 million contract awarded to Cessna Aircraft Co., of Wichita, Kan., for 18 aircraft for the Iraqi air force, Air Force spokesman Daryl Mayer said.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/02/ap_iraqplaneflorida_080221/

[hobbit709]

1. They're coming over here!

:rofl:

[MaryCeleste]

2. In 172s?

I do not understand why we are willing to endure such insults, they should be in at least a 182 or 210!