Airman Forced To Land After Close Encounter With Presidential TFR

The pilot of a small aircraft was forced to land Wednesday, after his aircraft got just a little too close to President Bush, who was on a campaign swing through King Of Prussia and the western part of the Keystone State.

WPVI-TV reports the 84-year old pilot from New Jersey and his passenger were up for one of those $50 cups of coffee when they were intercepted. They were forced to land at Pottstown-Limerick Airport and questioned by both the FBI and Secret Service.

"He was in the wrong place at the wrong time," said airport operations manager Chris Jordan. "The gentleman was just going for a cup of coffee in Chester County and didn't quite make it."

There were conflicting reports of just who forced the elderly pilot down -- a state police helicopter or USAF F-15 jets. WPVI reported the jet crews fired flares to get the civilian's attention before escorting him to Pottstown-Limerick.

After more than three hours of questioning, the pilot and his passenger were allowed to go free. There was no immediate indication on whether the pilot, whose name wasn't released, would be charged with violating restricted airspace.

FMI: www.faa.gov