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Obama's Plane Strikes Parked Plane on Runway

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January 12, 2008 11:40 AM

ABC News' Lisa Stark and Sunlen Miller report: The plane carrying Sen. Barack Obama struck another plane while taxiing at Midway Airport in Chicago early Saturday morning.

At 2:45 a.m. Central Time, the Gulfstream 2 plane that carried Obama, nine other passengers and two crew members struck a parked Cessna 208 general aviation plane, which can carry 10 to 12 passengers.

There was minor damage to the wings of both aircraft, although no one on either of the planes was injured.

Inside Obama's plane, the hit was so small that no one realized they had clipped the other plane's wing until someone on the plane, looking out the window, noticed the swipe.

The plane, because it was taxiing and heading to park, was not under the control of air traffic controllers at that point.

Members of Obama's campaign staff, Secret Service members and two crew members were flying along with the senator.

Before leaving his Las Vegas event that evening, Obama commented that he only had one hour to speak to the crowd, so his pilot wouldn't get "cut off" and so he wouldn't get in trouble with his wife. Obama will be in Chicago today, enjoying a prescheduled day off with his family. 

January 12, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (206)

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If he his pilot can't fly a plane correctly, then how does he think he can be the president?? (Just kidding -- making a stupid comment that I would expect from someone in the media.) Go Obama!!!! Yes, we can! Glad you're ok!

Posted by: w_roos | Jan 12, 2008 12:51:36 PM

Would you look at the comments on here? Wow they're rediculous. First of all Obama spoke very openly about the whole Rezko incident on a tv interview FOREVER ago and the dealing that Obama did with that man was 100% legal and there is no evidence of Barack's wrong doing AND no favors were granted to Rezko on Obama's behalf. As for the racial thing call Al Sharpton and complain about that. It's rediculous and even I could see Bill's statements although childish were NOT racial. As far as the incident with the plane, accidents happen. I wish people would stop with the critisizing and conspiracy theories. It's a waste of time. I'm sure everyone can agree it's starting to get old. It's a presidential race and the issues are important but it's funny America is spending more and more time bickering and carrying on about useless information and insulting the candidates then they do on the real issues. I think it's time to play fair discuss what's important, and realize we all want the same thing. A GOOD president and everyone is entitled to an opinion on that one.

Posted by: jordyc98 | Jan 12, 2008 12:54:50 PM

I don't plan to vote for either Obama or Hillary, but accidents happen all the time. I'm just glad that no one was hurt in this one.

Posted by: madeline longenecker | Jan 12, 2008 12:55:49 PM

What's he doing traveling around in those EVIL GAS GUZZLING AIR POLLUTING CORPORATE JETS FOR? What about global warming senator?
Seems that your actions are inconsistant with your words senator. Guess that's what makes you such a good liberal. You have all the qualities.

Posted by: John Smith | Jan 12, 2008 12:56:13 PM

Wow I wonder when some serious journalist will ask him what his take is on the current conditions in Iraq. I mean they have political reconcilition going on in that country today. The surge has defeated AQI and the insurgency. Iraq is close to being that Free democracy capable of sustaining itself and serving as an allie in the terrorist war against America so .. when will he get asked... Mr. Obama is it time to CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE course in Iraq or did the Presidents goals succeed and will you as President be able to handle a political hot potatoe like George W. Bush has? In other words when you stand on your convictions and the poltical winds blow against you can we count on you to do the Right thing? or will you fold like you just did to your wife's bidding?

Posted by: Tom | Jan 12, 2008 12:56:54 PM

The 208 (Caravan) does indeed carry 8-10. I should know, I fly them.

Posted by: Jim Ryan | Jan 12, 2008 12:57:47 PM

I hope his wife is prepared to let him work weekends when there's an international crisis unfolding.

The U.S. Presidency is not a 60 hour/week (some weekends) kind of job.
You're the President 24/7, unless you're unconscious.

Posted by: MegaloMan | Jan 12, 2008 12:58:39 PM

Rush was right! It is a conspiracy orchestrated by the Clinton's, controlled by the Chinese, financed by the Russian mafia and delegated to the college liberal socialists. I knew it!!!!!

Posted by: stephansdad | Jan 12, 2008 12:59:22 PM

thank god you are safe Barack.

No one wants a future leader to get hurt

enjoy your day of rest

Posted by: dan | Jan 12, 2008 1:00:21 PM

Its obvious all that leaning to the left caused the plane to veer off and strike the other. :D

Posted by: Chasmaniac | Jan 12, 2008 1:00:46 PM

It's just the Washington insider trying to blame things on the change candidate. It's not like they haven't done it in the past.

Posted by: Fed Up with Insiders | Jan 12, 2008 1:02:40 PM

Rules for Presidential candidates:
1. State your goals and plans to reach your goals.
2. Ignore the other candidates.
Then maybe the american voters will know exactly what you stand for.

Posted by: John McAdams | Jan 12, 2008 1:10:19 PM

If Hillary was on her way home and her pilot had an accident would she or her family at home wanting to see her be to blame? Is it really Barack's fault that Al Sharpton pulled out the race card? Would Hillary not be worth voting for if Kerry endorsed her instead of Barack? (she was seeking it too) It doesn't matter what either of the two of them do the media will make it seem much worse than it is and then people on here will twist and turn it to make the candidate they are NOT voting for look even worse. Again may I remind you people that there are more serious issues than Hillary's tears or Barack's pilot. Issues like global warming, education, the economy etc. I have never come on here to see any of that discussed just childish remarks about the opponet. Hopefully no matter who we get they will also focus on the maturity of some Americans.

Posted by: jordyc98 | Jan 12, 2008 1:11:15 PM

"the hit was so small that no one"

Nice, is this the same as 'the collision was so minor'

Posted by: Scott | Jan 12, 2008 1:11:58 PM

the pilots spoke eloquently of the beauty of flying. they hoped for a safe flight. they just didn't have any experience.

Posted by: ProudDemocrat | Jan 12, 2008 1:16:55 PM

Allowing readers to comment on every article that gets posted has illustrated very clearly that the American populace is SCARY. It was a freaking accident people - using this to point out political conspiracies, to attack Obama or Hillary, or to claim a reverse racism in America is INSANE. Many of you need to seek mental counseling like yesterday!

Posted by: Bob Howard | Jan 12, 2008 1:20:44 PM

Obama will not be stopped. Hillary for all her caterwauling about "experience", won't allow anyone to corroborate her's by opening the Clinton Library files for inspection. (look it up!) Obie's got vision, guts and is not intimidated by the corrupt Clinton smear machine!!

Posted by: Ef | Jan 12, 2008 1:34:58 PM

I am an American. I don't need to listen to the "I've been to the Mountaintop speech" I want to hear a positive voice of the future, not the voices of ghosts from the sixties chanting about the victims of the past. As an American, I also want a leader who doesn't use the flag as symbol of division but rather, a symbol of unity. Obama hasn't gotten either of those memos apparently.

Posted by: Billy | Jan 12, 2008 1:39:07 PM

I'm glad Mr. Obama was okay. I like him alot. He reminds me a lot of my Dad.

Posted by: Tommy | Jan 12, 2008 1:42:52 PM

Get in trouble with his wife...???Give me a break....!

Posted by: RichinTX | Jan 12, 2008 1:42:57 PM

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