The Lexington Institute's Loren Thompson says those mishaps usually result from a simple break in the line-of-sight connection between a plane and the satellite that controls it--often when one of the aircraft's own wings maneuvers into the path of the signal.

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In contrast to past hijacking situations, Mr Learmount said it was unusual that police with weapons appeared in sight of the plane's cockpit.

BBC: How to negotiate with hijackers

The jumbo jet experienced turbulence on approach to Toledo and was within sight of the runway when the pilot pulled the plane up and circled the airport, according to reporters on board.

CNN: Air Force One aborts landing, second try successful

Once he set the sight, the Norden took over the controls of the plane--and for the next few minutes it held in its gears and gyroscopes the lives of the crew of the Badlands Bat, a B-17G in the 401st bomb group of the 8th Air Force.

FORBES: Malone's Musings: Memorial Day 1999

Having been to Manhattan a number of times on business, I figured that either the news was completely fabricated or a sight-seeing plane had strayed into some building near New York.

FORBES: Edgefield Federal Prison, Sept 11, 2001