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Intoxicated Driver
Gets Onto Philadelphia International Airport Active Runway By Mike Mitchell |
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March 3, 2012 - On
Thursday, at about 11 AM, 24 year old Kenneth Mazik
crashed through a security gate at Philadelphia
International Airport and drove his Jeep SUV onto to the
aviative runway causing the airport to shut down for
over 30 minutes. Police report that Mazik was
intoxicated.
Mazik crashed through a chain link fence which surrounds
the airport and police began chasing the Jeep Cherokee
at speeds of more than 100 mph down the airports active
runway which was captured by ground radar and air
traffic controllers as a commercial flight was preparing
to land.
The flight was about 20 seconds from the wheels touching
down when controllers ordered the pilot to abort the
landing. Authorities reported about 75 aircraft had to
circle the airport and about 80 aircraft were prevented
from departing on time.
Police chased Mazik around the airport for several
minutes before they were able to stop him and place him
under arrest. Mazik was taken to a local hospital where
he is currently under a psychiatric evaluation.
Joe Sullivan, Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector stated
investigators do no have a motive so far for his
actions. "We're trying to determine that right now
whether or not he has psychological problems or
substance abuse problems, that's all part of the
investigation."
Victoria Lupica, Philadelphia International Airport
spokeswoman "The airport's airfield perimeter security
fencing meets or exceeds all federally mandated
standards and our airfield is secure. While this was a
very rare incident, the various layers of security
interacted extremely well to bring this incident to a
safe conclusion." |
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Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman, Ann Davis, said ?the response by police and airport officials showed that the system worked since the suspect was spotted, pursued by police and arrested in five minutes. The TSA and the airport are reviewing the incident.? |