Plane Malfunctions Prompted Fla. Guv’s Plane To Turn Back

Wed, May 07, 2008 - 11:12 AM

WASHINGTON - Malfunctions on a state plane to Washington carrying Florida GOP Gov. Charlie Crist, often mentioned as a potential vice presidential running mate for John McCain, on Tuesday prompted the two pilots to turn the craft around and return to Tallahassee

The plane also was carrying three Crist staffers and a Florida Department of Law Enforcement officer to Washington, D.C..

"The pilots informed us during a middle of a briefing, and the governor kept us all working to keep our minds occupied," said Crist's spokeswoman, Erin Isaac.

About 45 minutes into the flight somewhere over Georgia, she said, pilots David Young and Jan Neilson detected three separate malfunctions, with mechanisms that control the tail and the steering, as well as the autopilot. The plane then returned to Tallahassee safely.

The governor turned to alternative transportation and is to appear today for several apppointments, including a lunch with NBC political analyst Timm Russert, and attend a dinner of a group of Florida business executives.

-- Billy House