Plane carrying David Robinson makes emergency landing

Haha, this is a funny, but scary story from my hometown's local newspaper. The part about the cop writing a warning is freaking hilarious! I just thought I'd post this since it is the only time an NBA Hall of Famer will be stopping in Texarkana for a while.

Smoky plane lands former NBA standout in Texarkana


By GREG BISCHOF
Texarkana Gazette


By AARON BRAND
Texarkana Gazette


Former NBA star David Robinson may have thought his most intense moments were behind him on the basketball court since he retired. But Robinson and four others on a corporate jet were in for a surprise Tuesday morning 45,000 feet above Texarkana.


The NBA's Most Valuable Player of 1995 suddenly noticed smoke filling up the cabin of the Cincinnati-bound twin engine jet he was flying in, prompting the pilot to make an emergency landing at Texarkana Regional Airport.


The jet plane carrying Robinson, a flight attendant, his manager and the two pilots, made a safe landing about 8 a.m. Tuesday with no injuries, said airport director Steve Luebbert.


An electrical short in wiring powering the jet's lower heating system apparently started to burn the cabin's carpet and floor paneling, causing the smoke.


"The electrical short scorched some of the carpet, floor paneling and some insulation, but most of the material in a jet of that type is fire r****dant," Luebbert said.


Upon seeing the smoke, Robinson alerted the flight attendant, who then alerted one of the pilots, Capt. Mike Strong. He radioed a regional air traffic controlling station for advice on the nearest airport.


After finding out Texarkana had the emergency service responder teams and runway system large enough to accommodate the jet, Strong radioed the Texarkana's air traffic control tower that he would have to make an emergency landing.


"The flight was going well until we started smelling smoke," Robinson told TV station KSLA News 12. "It's not a good reason to visit Texarkana, but it's good to be here anyway. It's good to be on the ground."


Much to the thrills of many basketball fans who happened to be at the airport, Robinson made the most of his unexpected two-hour layover in Texarkana. He talked to people and signed autographs before another chartered aircraft took him to Cincinnati.


Robinson, a 7'1" future Hall-of-Famer, left Texarkana with a written warning from a Texarkana, Ark., police officer for parking a plane in an unsafe manner. It was the officer's way of making sure he got Robinson's autograph.


The corporate jet, which authorities said belonged to Toyota, remained behind at the airport for most of Tuesday afternoon. Ground crews made the necessary repairs and sent the jet off shortly after 4 p.m., said Airport Finance Administrator Carri Jones.


Known as the Admiral because he served in the U.S. Navy before he started his 14-year pro hoops career, Robinson retired from the San Antonio Spurs after he won a second NBA championship this past June.


His team honored him last night in San Antonio by retiring his jersey, his number 50 raised to the rafters. Earlier that night, Robinson had been able to see his old team squeak by over the Utah Jazz.


Named the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 1995, Robinson is known for his likable off-court personality and his dedication to the community.


Also known for his finesse game around the basket and good, high-percentage shooting touch, Robinson battled some of the great centers during the 90's such as Shaquille O'Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon. He was voted one of the top 50 all-time players.


Robinson is now spending most of his time with his family. He also works at the Carver Academy and his David Robinson Foundation that raises money for the private school located in a low-income San Antonio neighborhood.

http://www.texarkanagazette.com/articles/2003/11/12/news/news04.txt