Manhattan Low-Flying Plane Scare: HuffPost Reader Catches Close-Up Video Of Plane

SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS OF THE AIR FORCE ONE FLYOVER ON APRIL 27

UPDATE: Louis Caldera, Director of White House Military Affairs and responsible for the ill-conceived Air Force One photo-op, resigned today.

The photo-op cost $35,000 in fuel alone for the plane and two jet fighter escorts, the AP reports. The Air Force estimated the photo shoot cost taxpayers $328,835.

AP reported this morning [April 27, 2009]:

Two fighter jets escorted a low-flying Boeing 747 over lower Manhattan on Monday as part of a federal government photo opportunity.

That's the same part of town where hijacked passenger jets crashed into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

The plane was reportedly flying over the Statue of Liberty as part of a photo-op for the Air Force.

One HuffPost reader captured video of the plane flying close to his office building in Lower Manhattan.

HuffPost readers also sent in photos from this morning, which are included in the slideshow below.

• • •

The federal government flew a Boeing-747, escorted by two Air Force fighter jet, over the Financial District in Manhattan on Monday April 27th during a photo-op. The incident caused a feeling of panic among workers who had not been notified--photo by Kevin Spark

Readers in New York, did you see the plane flying at low altitude this morning? If you managed to snap a picture or capture video, send it to us at [e-mail] with your name in the subject line.

Comments

[Smaiyna]

Though a dumb idea, at least some one apologized, and took responsible for it. When was the last time Republicans apologized, and took responsibility for anything.

[Sansalcots2000]

Can I tell you? I would be able to understand the "mistake" more if the logic of the flying pattern was explained. Couldn't a Helicopter or two have been just as good? What does it cost the country to launch not one but two very expensive fighter jets in peace time? And how can it be that none of the planners remembered 9/11 to apply caution? Is someone in the Federal Government trying to hurt Obama?

[23e45]

OH yes lets just overlook this also... Lets not talk about the mistakes of the past because we have really
don't want to raised those issues. What we have learned is to not make the same mistakes we made in the past. Hmmmm its always the same anwser.. It was a mistake because we got caught, but we will try not to get caught in the future....

[23e45]

Don't believe it

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/air.force.one.2.996457.html
FAA Memo: Feds Knew NYC Flyover Would Cause Panic
Threatened Federal Sanctions Against NYPD, Secret Service, FBI & Mayor's Office If Secret Ever Got Out

Hmmmm I wonder why they were threating people... for a photo OP?
I wonder where the next terroist action is going to be.

[23e45]

Oh yea! I guess someone needed new plane footage on a plane fly around in NewYork City. I guess thats why under Security threats they told everyone to keep there mouths shut. I wonder what terroist threat they are going to use this footage with. Or did they need new footage so they could mix it into the news or to try and prove another or past terroist threat.

[goodog]

The day we can no longer handle low-flying planes is the day the Bush administration wins.

I get that PTSD plays with your mind, but after the episode passes and you calm down, you need to be able to rationally understand that low-flying planes happen, and that the problem is your response to it.

The problem isn't that planes fly low. The problem is that so many people are affected by post-9/11 PTSD. That's what needs to be dealt with.

I dare say the American thing to do is to get used to low flying planes again... because they're kind of cool and almost all of them are harmless.

[rejoyce5]

How many low flying 747s have you seen flying that low (when not landing)???

[goodog]

Never the less, after the episode passes and you calm down, you need to be able to rationally understand that low-flying planes happen, and that the problem is your response to it.

PTSD is the problem, not low-flying planes.

[Dunderslapoldmen]

Obama Orders Review of New York Flight as Cost Put at $328,835
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By Roger Runningen and Tony Capaccio

April 28 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama ordered a review of a publicity-photo shoot with one of the planes that serves as Air Force One that cost taxpayers $328,835 and caused a furor in New York City.

[Dunderslapoldmen]

Let's don't think for a minute that Obama was not told about this beforehand­...pleazzz­e...

[Merckx]

Why?
Would that interfere with your ability to bash Obama all the time?

[birchtree3]

This was definitely a mistake and a very expensive and insensitive one but do we really think that the Obama administration will be without some mistakes. Gawd....the last 8 years were riddled with them and we are suffering the consequences. I think it is interesting that the same people who supported and still support the debacle of the Bush era are so eager to find fault. Kind of like the pot calling the kettle black. Hypocrisy.

[HarlemFreeThought]

I am reading comments calling for heads to roll, or near congressional inquires about yesterdays alleged "Photo OP".
I'm very skeptical to believe the notion of a "photo-op" .
1) Why schedule a photo shoot on a Monday during rush hour effecting commercial and private traffic for NY's four airports, close to a densely section of lower Manhattan? Production companies shoot, especially in that area, on the weekends.
2) Check the video and photos. There was no tracking jet to film AF1. It would be amateurish to shoot video from inside the cockpit the tagging fighter jet, and it's modify a jet to rig a video camera.
3) Allegely wanted the 747in flight with Miss Liberty as a backdrop: here a suggestion HIRE PIXAR!
As Judge Judy say: "If it don't make sense, it's not the truth'!
There was a lack in communication enough for Bloomberg and Sen Schumer to huf and puff to Washington. that was he funny part......all's forgiven.
There was a great bit of sensationalism to this story from local and networks.

[3in1]

Michelle joy ride. Call sign was Air Force one foxtrot

[KIVPossum]

The other day a guy wearing a kufi came intot he cafe and everyone ducked in anticipation of a self detonation.

Crap. Have Americans reached the point they can't walk out of the house without being afraid of something?

[american-dolt]

Crass baby Crass

[CJWebber]

Sad, isn't it?

[SoHologramic]

I'm guessing you weren't in lower Manhattan on 9/11/01. For those of us who were, it is understandable that we may experience post-traumatic stress especially in this situation, which had undeniable similarities.

I occasionally have terrifying nightmares from the memory of that day and there simply are no words capable of describing how devastating it was to have experienced it firsthand. I do not think it was unreasonable for people to panic.

[goodog]

That shouldn't mean that no planes can fly over NYC.

[Kopie]

"Why was this not included on my teleprompter?!", Obama exclamed...

[patrickgarret]

Is that all you have left? Really? LOL Pathetic.

[Dalpine]

Where is the manifest? Or is that secret too?

[Lovepolitics2008]

I'm so saddened that the President, who WAS NOT AWARE of the fly over, is blamed in some quarters. Boy, he must be FURIOUS to be put in this position.

If he doesn't fire Mr.Caldera, it's either because Mr. Caldera was somewhat mislead by FAA and DOD about the details of the fly-over, or because Mr. President is very forgiving ( maybe too much).

I bet you there will be inquiries behind the scenes at FAA and DOD.

I can't wait for the new FAA administrator to be confirmed. President Obama nominated Mr. Randolph Babbitt, a very competent man, and widly respected.

[Gumby123]

If Obama is worth anything as a man and as a president, he'll take responsibility for the actions of his administration.

[3in1]

Should have special investgation of President obama reason for this.

[OKSunny]

Ok---it's time to get over 9-11. I lived through the OKC bombing and I don't freak out everytime I see a Ryder truck in front of government buildings.
Yes, 9-11 was horrible but we can't let it cripple our nation with an irrational fear. Politicians are guilty of using it to intimidate people and it's time to stop. Bad things happen; all over the country, all over the world....something horrible is happening to someone right now. Americans do not have a monolopy on bad things happening to them.
TIME TO MOVE ON.
Mr. Caldera, you owe no one an apology--if New Yorkers are still that freaked out then they need to live somewhere else. It's ridiculous to react that way.

[CJWebber]

Well said.

[twilighthand]

Of course if this would have happened during the Bush administration, all the defenders of libralism here would be screaming impreachment. How dare any of you criticize the people of New York for being jittery around low flying aircraft..­.especiall­y when it is and never has been common practice to fly that low over NYC.