U.S. tightens small plane security rules

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Small aircraft flying into the United States from overseas faced new Department of Homeland Security rules Tuesday to prescreen passengers and crew.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said rules requiring pilots of private planes to radio the information in one hour before landing would change Tuesday to require the information be sent one hour before taking off, USA Today reported.

Department spokesman Russ Knocke said there is "no information indicating a specific or imminent threat" from private planes but the move was merely part of the ongoing process to close loopholes for would-be terrorists.

The earlier notification will give Customs and Immigration agents more time to screen the plane's occupants, Chertoff said.

The announcement was made on the eve of the sixth anniversary of the terror attacks on New York and Washington by al-Qaida militants.