Washington – Homeland Security Secretary Jeh (JAY) Johnson says a gyrocopter that landed on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol “literally flew in under the radar.”
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Johnson says it’s too soon to say whether Wednesday’s incident should prompt changes in security procedures.
The pilot is Florida postal worker Doug Hughes. Johnson confirms Hughes was interviewed by the Secret Service almost two years ago. Johnson says the Secret Service passed along the information to “all of the appropriate law enforcement agencies.”
Johnson says his first reaction on hearing of the incident was to ask, “What’s a gyrocopter?”
The tiny, open-air aircraft landed without injuries to anyone, but the incident raises questions about how someone could be allowed to fly right up to the Capitol.
Johnson spoke Thursday on Capitol Hill.