Diverts To Columbus After Windshield Cracks Develop Inflight

A state-owned Beech 200 Super King Air transporting Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels made an unscheduled landing in Columbus, OH Sunday morning after the pilot opted not to continue the flight from Indianapolis to Washington, DC after cracks began to appear in the plane's windscreens.

Daniels was on his way to Washington for a National Governor's Association meeting and an appearance on CBS' "Face the Nation" when cracks formed in one windshield and then the other. Daniels spokeswoman Jane Jankowski said, "They decided that the best thing to do was to divert and land in Columbus and not go any further."

The flight was diverted to Port Columbus International Airport (CMH) and landed safely just before 9 am. The Associated Press said Daniels was then transported by the Ohio Highway Patrol to a TV studio in Columbus for a satellite hook-up to make his scheduled appearance on "Face the Nation."

After the program, Daniels resumed his journey to Washington, DC on a commercial flight. "It's not just a job, it's an adventure," Daniels quipped.

Rick Barnett, spokesman for the Indiana Department of Administration, explained such cracks are usually caused by the over-heating of the windshield heater.

FMI: www.state.in.us