Pilot's gun goes off on US Airways flight.

[Racehorse]

US AIRWAYS ROUTE FROM DENVER TO CHARLOTTE
Pilot's gun goes off
on US Airways flight
Officials say aircraft was never in danger
APRIL BETHEA
abethea@charlotteobserver.com
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A gun carried by a US Airways pilot accidentally discharged during a flight from Denver to Charlotte on Saturday, according to airline and federal officials.

No one was injured, and the aircraft was not in any danger during the flight, officials said. It landed at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport around 11:51 a.m. Saturday.

The pilot, who wasn't identified, was allowed to carry the firearm as part of the Federal Flight Deck Officer program run by the Transportation Security Administration, officials said. The program was created after the 9-11 terrorist attacks and allows eligible crew members to use a firearm to defend against an act of criminal violence or air piracy, according to the TSA's Web site. Those eligible include pilots, flight engineers or navigators.

The pilot involved in Saturday's incident last qualified for the TSA program in November.

In a statement, the TSA said that the agency and "Federal Air Marshals Service take this matter seriously and it is receiving immediate attention."

US Airways also said it is cooperating with law enforcement. The incident occurred on US Airways Flight 1536, which had 124 passengers, two pilots and three flight attendants on board, the airline said. The aircraft was removed from service.

"I'm the only one on this flight professional enough to carry a ...BANG!!!!!!"

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

Any info on how or why the gun was fired?

[Racehorse]

Andrea McCauley said the gun discharged in the cockpit, but she could not release how the gun was being transported at the time.

That's all I could find. I'm guessing it was somehow stupidity related, and that's why they're not saying how it went off.

[Manedwolf]

It went off because the trigger was pulled. 

[280plus]

Un-bleepin'-believable... 

[Paddy]

It was no doubt one of those eeevil Glocks.  They go off if you just look at them wrong. They're lucky it didn't KABOOM and take down the whole plane.

[Devonai]

Come on guys, haven't we all had a negligent discharge while operating a multi-million dollar aircraft at 35,000 feet?  Give the pilot a break.

[crt360]

It was no doubt one of those eeevil Glocks.  They go off if you just look at them wrong. They're lucky it didn't KABOOM and take down the whole plane.

exactly what I was thinking 

[grislyatoms]

They're also invisible to metal detectors...

[Boomhauer]

On THR a few posters are saying that idiotic regs require a gun to be handled multiple times in flight (loading and unloading at certain points). Just something to think about,,,

[Manedwolf]

"Federal flight deck officers are authorized and trained to carry their firearms on their person inside the flight deck of an aircraft," said the TSA spokesperson.

The weapon used by the officers are H&K 40-caliber semiautomatics.

[Werewolf]

No such thing as an accidental discharge just negligent ones. And I'd bet a dollar to a doughnut that's what happened on the plane.

[crt360]

No such thing as an accidental discharge just negligent ones. And I'd bet a dollar to a doughnut that's what happened on the plane.

. . . but how can you disregard the truthful word of federal officials?   

A gun carried by a US Airways pilot accidentally discharged during a flight from Denver to Charlotte on Saturday, according to airline and federal officials

[Leatherneck]

I hate stupid pilots.

TC

[Leatherneck]

Huh. Fox News just said that "Federal law allows pilots and other crew members to carry guns on airplanes."

True? Or just Shepard Smith's familiar spewing?

TC

[Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas]

Any info on how or why the gun was fired?

Twilight Zone episode with William Shatner covered this. The pilot encountered a gremlin on the wing, and had to shoot it off to keep him from destroying the plane.

[DJJ]

I'm the only one on this flight professional enough to carry a ...BANG!!!!!!"

How do you spell a whistling noise?

[Dntsycnt]

Liars.  We all know that if you shoot a gun on a plane the vacuum sucks everyone through the bullet hole.

This is especially useful if your mother effing plane happens to have mother effing snakes on it.

[Matthew Carberry]

Liars.  We all know that if you shoot a gun on a plane the vacuum sucks everyone through the bullet hole.

This is especially useful if your mother effing plane happens to have mother effing snakes on it.

Only if you have had it with them.

[Archie]

Pilots have to load and unload their firearms IN THE COCKPIT.  When the flight is over and before they leave, they must unload the firearm and lock it with a little padlock and then put it away in their carry case.

Any information on exactly when the firearm was discharged?  Particularly was it while the aircraft was at the gate, either prior to takeoff or as the plane was being off loaded?

[johnster999]

keep finger out of trigger guard until....oh nevermind.

[Matthew Carberry]

Pilots have to load and unload their firearms IN THE COCKPIT.  When the flight is over and before they leave, they must unload the firearm and lock it with a little padlock and then put it away in their carry case.

Any information on exactly when the firearm was discharged?  Particularly was it while the aircraft was at the gate, either prior to takeoff or as the plane was being off loaded?

The story I read said it was while they were preparing to land, on approach.  Maybe he was trying to get a jump on the process.

[Manedwolf]

Must be hard to hear the tower with that sort of ringing in your ears.

[Fly320s]

Pilots have to load and unload their firearms IN THE COCKPIT. 

False.

[roo_ster]

Hokay, what sort of hoops must a pilot jump through in such a case?  IMO, anything more involved than, "Change from strong-side holster to shoulder holster for comfort while piloting the aircraft," is unnecessary fiddling.