Remember Captain James Langenhahn, the US Airways pilot who “accidentally” fired his gun while stowing it during his plane’s approach to Charlotte Douglas International last March? The bullet pierced the plane’s fuselage, but no one was hurt, and the plane landed safely.
Soon after the incident, Langenhahn was fired by US Airways. But there may be hope for Langenhahn, who has been fighting the dismissal.
A report by the Office of Inspector General, an independent arm of the Department of Homeland Security, states the design of the locking holsters supplied to thousands of armed airline pilots “increases the likelihood of an accidental discharge of a weapon in an aircraft cockpit.”
In a darkened cockpit, under the stress of meeting the operational needs of the aircraft, a pilot could inadvertently discharge the weapon by failing to ensure it is properly seated in the holster, securing the trigger lock and then pushing the weapon inward to secure the holster snap.
According to a report by CNN, the Transportation Security Administration has defended the locking holsters. TSA stated that pilots have handled the holsters “millions of times” without incident since they were put into service two years ago.
The Inspector General Office’s report also states that pilots who use the TSA supplied holster can also discharge their weapon, if the pilot inserts the padlock hasp into the holster incorrectly.
In a written statement TSA states,
When handled in accordance with FFDO program policies and procedures, the locking holster system meets program safety, security and tactical accessibility requirements. TSA works with independent subject matter experts to regularly review new holster systems that meet program safety, security and tactical accessibility requirements.
Using the immortal words of Ben Bradlee, when he was executive editor of the Washington Post, that sounds like a “nondenial denial” to me.
Langenhahn said of the report, “This is encouraging. This will probably have a favorable impact in increasing the effectiveness of the (armed pilot) program and in my personal situation.”
This is going to be a story to follow as the Obama administration comes to power. Will the Obama-led Homeland Security and TSA recall and replace the holsters to raise the level of inflight safety and will Langenhahn gain reinstatement with US Airways?
Time will tell.
As a frequent flier, I certainly hope Janet Napolitano, the incoming Secretary of Homeland Security takes the Inspector General’s report seriously, and has the holsters replaced with a safe model.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
A report by the Office of Inspector General, an independent arm of the Department of Homeland Security, states the design of the locking holsters supplied to thousands of armed airline pilots “increases the likelihood of an accidental discharge of a weapon in an aircraft cockpit.”
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According to a report by CNN, the Transportation Security Administration has defended the locking holsters. TSA stated that pilots have handled the holsters “millions of times” without incident since they were put into service two years ago.
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Who’s RIGHT? And why havent they found out, like, yesterday? I sit directly behind the cockpit on all my trips. Outrageous.
“Who’s RIGHT?”
Well, they both could be right.
Why must the government make EVERYTHING more complicated than it needs to be?
Holsters have been around since Samuel Colt invented the revolver. Cops and other LEO’s and those who own handguns have had holsters and have been safely handling guns since the 19th century. There are not a whole lot of ‘accidental’ discharges using the commercially available holsters.
So, instead of simply allowing a pilot to buy a regulation law enforcement holster, it mandates a ’special’ aviation holster than now is found to be defective.
For gosh sakes, allow the pilot to buy a standard regulation holster and use it properly. No need for airworthiness directives or firing pilots or whatever.
And the pilot needed to make sure the gun was not cocked, or the safety off, or a round in the chamber. He is not a cop and sure to have a few moments to load the weapon before needing to discharge it. . . .