It could change the plane's path just enough to destroy the pilot's chance of a safe landing.

VOA: special.2010.07.07

Then,during a test of the wings, the plane moved sharply off its flight path.

VOA: special.2010.07.07

Global Hawk can pick out objects as small as a truck with its synthetic aperture radar, which uses the plane's flight path to simulate the curve of a radar dish several hundred meters long.

FORBES: We See You

From the plane, I saw the path of the storm, which marched like a lead-footed giant across southern Oklahoma City and Moore.

CNN: One block, two tornadoes: Life in the crosshairs

The plane could not secure a flight path to Amman, so instead, the crew decided to land in Damascus, Air France said.

CNN: Airline asks passengers for gas money