New rules in wake of Obama flight incident

WASHINGTON, April 23 (UPI) -- U.S. flight rules are being changed after a dangerous incident Monday saw first lady Michelle Obama's aircraft abort its initial landing, officials said.

Obama and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, were returning to Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington from New York when an air traffic controller error had their Boeing 737 aircraft 2.4 miles behind a large Boeing C-17 military jet.

Because of the turbulent wake the massive C-17 creates, other aircraft are supposed to remain at least 5 miles behind them.

Obama's flight was ordered to delay landing by flying in a "S" pattern and circling. It later touched down without incident.

The National Transportation Safety Board said Friday the incident was a result of errors by two air traffic controllers, USA Today reported.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said from now on, flights carrying the first lady and the vice president will be handled by supervisory controllers, the same way as flights carrying the president, creating a much larger buffer zone, The Hill newspaper said.