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Pilot's Gun Goes off on U.S. Airways Flight

Monday, March 24, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —  No injuries are reported after a pilot's gun discharged on a U.S. Airways flight from Denver to Charlotte, N.C.

Airline and federal officials say Flight 1536 was not in any danger as a result of the incident, which occurred about 9:50 a.m. MDT on Saturday.

Officials say the unnamed pilot was allowed to carry the weapon as part of the Transportation Security Administration's Federal Flight Deck Officer program. It was created after the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks.

The program allows eligible crew members — including pilots, navigators and flight engineers — to use a firearm to defend against any act of air piracy or criminal violence.

The TSA says the agency takes the Federal Air Marshals Service takes the matter seriously.

The jet has been taken out of service.

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