VP Biden's plane hits birds upon landing in California
Vice President Joe Biden waves from the doorway of Air Force Two after his arrival at the airport in Ankara on December 1, 2011.
April 20th, 2012
06:02 PM ET

VP Biden's plane hits birds upon landing in California

Air Force Two, a modified Boeing 757 airplane carrying Vice President Joe Biden, was involved in a “bird strike” while landing in Santa Barbara, CA on Thursday evening, an Air Force spokesman confirmed to CNN.

“The plane landed safely as a precautionary measure and is currently being inspected to assess if there is any damage,” said Lieutenant Gregg Johnson, a public affairs officer for the Air Force’s 89th Airlift Wing – the unit responsible for managing presidential air travel.

Lt. Johnson assured CNN that the strike did not cause an emergency landing and that all passengers, including the vice president, were safe at all times.

“The Vice President left Santa Barbara this afternoon as scheduled, aboard an alternate U.S. Air Force aircraft,” a spokesperson in the Office of the Vice President said, confirming the bird strike.

While the vice president’s original airplane is being inspected, Lt. Johnson said the Air Force sent a C-20 – also known as a Gulfstream 3 – from Colorado Springs to pick up Biden and his travelling party and carry them back to Delaware as scheduled.


soundoff (62 Responses)
  1. GOP = Greed Over People

    Oh dear, next thing you know Meg and that other blonde bubble head, Gnarly will be screaming that the birds were California Condors and it was a conspiracy started by President Obama 4 years ago when he chose Biden as the VP so he would be in that plane, on this date, just to kill those poor birds.

    April 20, 2012 at 6:58 pm |
    • 1FreeWorld

      Just a little more of Star Parker!

      [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK2GJU5aWbc&w=640&h=360]

      I cannot believe that this Black Woman is against Barak wHoseHinne O Bummer's Marxist's Utopia!!!!

      April 20, 2012 at 8:32 pm |
    • Mike

      You have it dead on. Glad you're finally seeing the light.

      April 20, 2012 at 9:24 pm |
      • 1FreeWorld

        Let us hear it one more time from VP Biteme!

        Biteme is so DARNED EDUCATED and from Delaware!

        Delaware needs a Brand New Slate! (Ooops,,, new Etch-e-Sketch)
        and get rid of the KKK-based DemocRATS
        and put in folks that believe in LIFE, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness!!

        [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgIFV7jXBFQ&w=640&h=360]

        Wha d'you be talkin' 'bout????

        April 20, 2012 at 9:51 pm |
      • MaryM

        1Free, All that anger will eat you up inside and it looks like you are well on your way.

        April 20, 2012 at 10:08 pm |
      • 1FreeWorld

        @Mary

        Anger?

        Do you want ALL to be Free?

        I do.

        I want All to be Free!

        Where do get Anger from anywhere within my posts?

        Except Anger for the Lefties that want to control me and YOU!

        Do you not want Freedom?
        Do you not want Life and the ability to pursue Happiness and own Property?

        Life and Freedom is Good!
        and so is Happiness,,,,
        No Anger here!

        April 20, 2012 at 10:19 pm |
      • MaryM

        1Free, No, its definately anger. just sit back and read your comments

        April 21, 2012 at 1:52 am |
      • jerry

        interesting many hate Dick Cheney when he spoke so well and you always knew where he was coming from...Biden on the other had blows in the wind gaffes daily and makes no sense and the media ignores this for the most part. The left is so easily manipulated... NO, ONE FREE WORLD you are not angry...they just want to make you angry or racist or or or..because they are afraid of you. Just call it ignorance...or rename ignorance for ...well...call it biden!

        April 21, 2012 at 12:17 pm |
      • ddblah

        Jerry: personality counts. If you put Biden and Cheney side-by-side, I bet most people like Biden a lot better.

        April 21, 2012 at 12:41 pm |
      • MaryM

        Jerry, YOU are just a angry as 1Free. both of you will have your insides eaten up by all that hate and anger.

        April 21, 2012 at 3:08 pm |
      • RealityBites

        Biden or Cheney
        Biden of course, drunk blabbering idiots are a lot more fun than no non-sense intellectuals.

        April 23, 2012 at 11:36 am |
      • 1FreeWorld

        I do believe this guy said everything that I agree with,,,,

        All he forgot to say was Rev Jackson, Rev Sharpton, and the NBP (New Black Panther) Folks.

        Black on Black Crimes????
        Yawn,,,,
        A Black's Life DOESN'T have VALUE when another BLACK kills the BLACKS!

        OUCH!

        [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LONUecnsMb8&w=640&h=360]

        And when a Doctor Kills a Black Baby in the Black Baby's Mother's Womb,,,
        Yawn,,,
        Pass me another Skittles

        OUCH

        April 23, 2012 at 8:32 pm |
  2. Penguins fly Delta

    Obviously the birds didn't read the Temporary Flight Restrictions/NOTAMS posted on the FAA's website.

    April 20, 2012 at 7:11 pm |
  3. TheToad

    Biden; "that was a big ,./.,. deal"

    April 20, 2012 at 7:23 pm |
  4. Jen S.

    Tick-tock everyone...........it's just Birds this time.....the closer we get to December 21st, the Mayan wrath will get worse! 🙂

    April 20, 2012 at 7:28 pm |
  5. Patrick O'Riley

    KIL LED BIRDS, WHAT IS CRY BABY OHHHBAMMY AND BIDEN GOING TO DO AND WHO IS TO BLAME.
    WE NEED THE GOV. TO MAKE SOLAR PLANES, OR EVEN BETTER WIND POWERED. MAY THE BIRDS
    REST IN PEACE. .... I THING THE FAMILY OF THE BIRDS DESERVE 5 MILLION EACH......WHY WASN'T
    BIDEN AND CRY BABY IN A.......WAIT FOR IT.........YES............ A VOLT...THAT DON'T KI LL BIRDS

    April 20, 2012 at 7:39 pm |
    • edsr of Dallas

      Too bad the plane didn't hit a big black bird!

      April 20, 2012 at 10:18 pm |
  6. WHATEVER

    This is news?????

    April 20, 2012 at 7:42 pm |
  7. lou50

    Hopefully counselling will be made available to us at the local schools. I will be there first thing in the morning.

    April 20, 2012 at 7:53 pm |
    • 1FreeWorld

      [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqtE-f0yZoA&w=640&h=360]

      Contact this YouTube Connection for Help!

      They will direct you to the local office!

      April 20, 2012 at 8:42 pm |
      • SDN

        Your point is? Your solution is? Your purpose on this planet is? Tell us, is the answer to all three, assuming you could ever find the courage to say it....."ethnic cleansing"? The two most disgusting, ignorant and appalling words in the English language. If you really want to go there, ask the Chinese what they think about the idea. And no, I'm not going to explain it for you.

        April 20, 2012 at 9:14 pm |
      • Steveo

        @Yo SDN,

        You speak of ethic cleansing? let me help you out here! Why don't you Google "Margaret Sanger". You will out find several things about her that most black folks don't know and don't care to know. She was an avowed racist and she was the founder of...get this SDN...PLANNED PARENTHOOD! Yeah, she is dead and gone but her legacy and master plan lives on! You speak of ethic cleansing? Take it from me, a black man We are cleaning ourselves but we call it CHOICE! You speak of ethic cleansing? 97% of all black crime victims are at the hands of black perps You speak of ethic cleansing? We are cleansing ourselves! Look it up and stop blaming everyone else !

        April 21, 2012 at 4:47 pm |
    • jerry

      @ SDN if you don't get the point you are just well...Im sorry stupid.

      April 21, 2012 at 12:20 pm |
      • 1FreeWorld

        A lot of truth here!

        [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRDzBWlNvN0&w=640&h=360]

        There is a little bit I disagree with....

        Judeo-Christian Laws are what is making us all FREE!
        Judeo means Jews.

        The KKK (and DemocRATS) did not like Jews.

        So this speaker is about 85% right.

        April 23, 2012 at 10:29 pm |
      • 1FreeWorld

        Forget about the Black Liberation Church.

        The Black Liberation Chuch believes in Communism,,, just like La Rasa with the Latinos!

        Black Liberation is filled with ANGER,,,,
        La Rasa is also filled with ANGER,,,

        Obummer is associated with BOTH!

        God Bless America,,, the land of the FREE!

        Keep your Powder Dry!

        April 23, 2012 at 10:39 pm |
    • jean2009

      @Steveo
      http://propaganda-for-life.tumblr.com/post/5577463071/the-truth-about-margaret-sanger-not-a-eugenicist

      April 22, 2012 at 6:33 pm |
      • Steveo

        From Wikipedia:
        As part of her efforts to promote birth control, Sanger found common cause with proponents of eugenics, believing that they both sought to "assist the race toward the elimination of the unfit."[72] Sanger was a proponent of negative eugenics, which aims to improve human hereditary traits through social intervention by reducing reproduction by those considered unfit. Sanger believed that lighter-skinned races were superior to darker-skinned races

        Again, all from Wikipedia!

        Complementing her eugenics policies, Sanger also supported restrictive immigration policies. In "A Plan for Peace", a 1932 essay, she proposed a congressional department to address population problems. She also recommended that immigration exclude those "whose condition is known to be detrimental to the stamina of the race," and that sterilization and segregation be applied to those with incurable, hereditary disabilities

        April 23, 2012 at 11:31 am |
  8. Craig Kones

    Too bad

    April 20, 2012 at 7:54 pm |
    • Smackback

      too bad

      April 20, 2012 at 8:53 pm |
    • 1FreeWorld

      SEE WHY BLACKS ARE NOT WEALTHY!

      This guy makes a lot of sense!

      African Americans,,, See why you are POOR!

      [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2pGlUMTMYU&w=640&h=360]

      Enslaved? Wanna get off the Plantation?

      SEE BLACK FAILURE HERE NOW!

      If you want Blaks on the Plantation,,, Vote for the DemocRAT Party!

      Or was that ACOR NOW!

      STOP THAT LIE!

      April 20, 2012 at 8:53 pm |
    • Smackback

      What was he doing in Santa Barbara?

      April 20, 2012 at 9:20 pm |
  9. svann

    If the secret service were doing their jobs this would never have happened!!!

    April 20, 2012 at 8:16 pm |
    • 1FreeWorld

      See why this Black Man will get re-elected!

      He wants ALL Folks to have an equal opportunity!

      [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEBuaa2OnVA&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3%5D

      Maybe it is time to get rid of Debbie Blabberman-Shultz!

      ANOTHER SHELLACKING for the DemocRATS in 2012!

      ABO (Anybody But Obummer) ,,,, or is that
      OMG (Obummer Must Go!!!)

      Just another Troll (wink)

      April 20, 2012 at 9:11 pm |
    • 1FreeWorld

      Ooops...

      see below:

      [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEBuaa2OnVA&w=640&h=360]

      April 20, 2012 at 9:12 pm |
  10. nairb247

    Wo!!! Biden must hate birds. We should make a news story about it and blow it way out of proportion.

    April 20, 2012 at 8:23 pm |
  11. SPF

    I cant believe your crew killed birds, I am upset.

    April 20, 2012 at 9:27 pm |
  12. 1FreeWorld

    @SDN

    You want Ethnic Cleansing?

    SHAME ON YOU!

    I want Freedom for ALL!

    Including your offspring! (They will probably want to distance themselves from you)

    Anybody that wants Freedom for All is in the RIGHT.

    Anybody that wants to Control Others, or Kill Others, is either on the Left or Wrong, or are anti-American!

    Lefties are WRONG!

    So are those that want to Kill Infidels!

    My purpose in life is to protect all Humans,,,
    with the Right to,,,
    Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness and Property Rights!

    SDN,,, who do you want to SILENCE?
    LOL

    April 20, 2012 at 9:29 pm |
    • mcskadittle

      the only thing republican commenters can come up with are silly names for the president and sorta veiled racism

      April 22, 2012 at 2:50 pm |
      • Steveo

        It's is sad and uncalled for just as much no matter who does it (conservative or liberal, GOP or Dem). Honesty demands we admit BOTH side do it!

        April 22, 2012 at 2:57 pm |
      • jean2009

        i don't find it that veiled.

        April 22, 2012 at 6:34 pm |
      • 1FreeWorld

        Here are some Veiled Threats!

        Watch out.... Republicans are Racists!

        BLACK REPUBLICANS are WHAT?

        Like Condolisa Rice!
        Like Clarence Thomas!
        Like Allen West!

        LOL,,,,

        Freedom is now being called Racism!
        If Freedom is the NEW RACISM,,, I am a FREEDOM RACIST!!!

        [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zssxz-oND7k&w=640&h=360]

        Oh,

        What about all the other Black Republicans that are Racists????
        Help me!

        Can Jean2009 name all the Black (racist) Republicans in the History of the USA?
        No,,,,

        NO SHE CAN'T
        NO SHE CAN'T

        [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h5HfLlh-2M&w=640&h=360]

        [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h5HfLlh-2M&w=640&h=360]

        April 22, 2012 at 7:28 pm |
      • 1FreeWorld

        @LizCarter and Jean2009

        I am just wondering if Liz Carter was one of this Man's Wives?

        He is a Wonderful Entertainer and believes in the Free Market System (at least Capitalizes on the Free Market System like Lefty Michael Moore, Lefty Actors, Lefty Corporate Cronies)!

        I would like to see a FREEZE on the paychecks and an INCREASE on their TAXES,,,,
        ON THE MILLIONAIRS and BILLIONAIRS of all the HOLLYWOOD Actors, Actresses, Producers and Directors,,, and
        BIG TV and CABLE Suppliers and News Castors and Sports Castors and ESPN, DISNEY, TLC, MSN, etc...

        [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfnDq4R6hOQ&w=640&h=360]

        Oh,,,

        What does the Rules 4 Rads say to do with Slick Willy, his Tryin' fo a long time Wife, and other Blacks?

        April 22, 2012 at 8:03 pm |
  13. CNN Wrong Again

    How can anyone trust CNN to report news, when it can't get the actual facts correct??? A simple fact check would revel that "Airforce 2" is a traffic control sign that applies to any flight that the VP is on (unless he is flying with the president I guess). Airforce 2 is not a specific plane. Airforce 2 could be a cessna, it could be a 747, it could be a A380... as long as it's carrying the vice president it's Airforce 2. BUT cnn seems to think it's a plane..."Air Force Two, a modified Boeing 757 airplane". This is like saying American Airlines flight 19 is a 767. American Airlines flight 19 could happen on ANY airplane.

    UGH.
    Since CNN can't get simple facts correct, how can they be a trustworthy news source.

    April 20, 2012 at 10:27 pm |
  14. Mike

    If this had been Dick Cheney's plane, PITA would have demanded his immediate arrest for cruelty to animals...

    April 20, 2012 at 11:52 pm |
  15. Sponge-Bob

    Joe just destroyed part of the natural environment, where is the outcry?

    April 21, 2012 at 4:48 am |
  16. ted

    you people are out of your collective minds or have a lot of time on your hands. Can you stop the Tea Party GOP bs and just be thankful that Biden landed safely.

    April 21, 2012 at 11:36 am |
  17. jerry

    well clintons plane hit a cord on the same day.....so, this could be an omen.....hahahah We are seeing the truth and living the consequences of marxist rule from obama and mob.

    April 21, 2012 at 12:22 pm |
    • 1FreeWorld

      Did you mention that WHITE BOY,,,

      Clinton,,,

      That was showing us WHY THE BLACKS and the DemocRATS

      Should vote for

      Ex-KKK Leaders????

      [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URnVv56YLXY&w=640&h=360]

      the Clintons really look Stupid,,,,

      and so do all those that are Marxists,,,, err,,, DemocRATS

      Sorry Soros

      Another Shellacking here
      Real SOON!
      Oh, in 2012,,,,
      If a Black Person votes for a DemocRAT,
      That person wants to,,, you figure it out!

      April 22, 2012 at 9:09 pm |
    • 1FreeWorld

      Blacks can be Racists, also!

      Dirty Asians, according to Democrat Marion Barry from Washington, DC!!!

      [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tagHVuYX-NQ&w=640&h=360]

      If you are Asian and want Freedom,,,,

      Better vote for Freedom and not the DemocRATS!

      April 22, 2012 at 10:07 pm |
    • 1FreeWorld

      I think the dirty Asians should vote for Freedom.

      Change the Politics in California!
      Change the Politics in Hawaii!
      Change the Politics in Washington, DC!
      Change the Politics in Oregon and Washington State!

      I think that the poor Blacks in Washington, DC should vote for Freedom!
      Change the Politics in Washington, DC,,, to where the poor folks can get an Education Voucher so that the poor Black Folks can get out of the Union-Based Education System!

      YES THEY CAN!
      YES THEY CAN!

      BTW,,, Mr. Obama wants the poor Blacks to not get the Vouchers in Washington, DC, and force the Poor Black Folks into Goverment Slavery!

      Look it up folks!

      April 22, 2012 at 10:42 pm |
      • Ron in California

        Have you nothing to do?

        April 23, 2012 at 10:18 am |
  18. Jeff M

    Biden is a tool. If he was a Republican the liberal media would have their way with him ala Dan Quayle. Becuase his is liberal the press leaves him alone.

    April 21, 2012 at 2:43 pm |
  19. logan5

    It cracks me up when I encounter Christians who will try to argue how tolerant they are yet this news piece is damming evidence that they can' even tolerate each other. Many of the various Christian sects actually hate each other. How that for irony LOL

    April 21, 2012 at 6:39 pm |
  20. Jerry

    Too bad the BIGGEST BIRD was NOT hit!!!

    April 21, 2012 at 6:44 pm |
  21. 1FreeWorld

    @MaryM

    Just wondering if you see HATE in the following????

    Do Tell !!!

    We all want to hear from you,,
    here,,,
    yes here in this Last Bastion of Freedom,, and
    we want to hear your views,,,
    before you are silenced by the LONG KNIVES!!!!

    Look up Long Knives on your 'puter before the night is through!

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39sKHeK3l0Y&w=640&h=360]

    After All,,,,

    We are Americans!

    I am thinking that Obummer is a lot smarter than me,,,, Nuyck, Nuyck, Nuyck,,,

    I have to show my Birth Certificate to get a Driver's License,,,,

    Obummer has to have his WORDS presented to him
    on two Etch-o-Scetches on a Stick at his podium
    err

    Tele-Prompters,,, Tele-ACORNS,,,, Tele GOVERNMENT WORKER UNIONS

    To Frustrate All!

    To Bowl Like a Retard, yet he would not accept a challenge from a Special-Olympian that Bowls a 300 Game!

    Ut Ohhh,,, There goes the Teacher's Unions, EPA, HUD, FannieMae, FreddiMac, etc,,, and soon to be
    Gub'ments new control on the SallieMae- Student Loans (Owned and Operated by the Obummer's Marxists)

    I am going to miss GUN-CONTROL HOLDER and CLINTON....
    They will have a lot of friends in Prison!
    wHousHineey will be there with them,
    and the Etch-o-Sketch writer (Soros) will be there too!

    All of you Liberals/Progressives/Socialists/Marxists/Etc....

    Want the Gub'ment to CONTROL you,,,
    Miss MaryM.

    Miss MarryM,,, Do you want to be controlled,,,
    by a Government,,,
    that knows nothing about you?

    April 21, 2012 at 10:27 pm |
    • Tyler T.

      You really do represent ignorance and the way you conduct yourself is so disgusting. Freedom of speech and freedom of opinion is so important but so too is thinking before you speak. All you are doing is ranting and that is making you look uneducated.

      April 22, 2012 at 3:07 pm |
      • 1FreeWorld

        Another SNL person is upset with Obummer,,,,

        Not this one,,, we knew about this one,,,,

        [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWi182CMJY8&w=640&h=360]

        I think we should Tax the WHOLE SNL STAFF and ACTORS and ACTRESSES and PRODUCERS and TV and CABLE Corporations,,,,at the
        50% Mark....

        After all, they are the 1%'ers.....

        Darn, they HAVE ALL THE MONEY!

        Michael Moore, and Fonda's, and Serandon's, and Cher, and ALL OF THEM!

        TAX THEM ALL at 50% and make sure the
        PROFESSIONAL SPORTS PLAYERS and the NEWS-CASTORS are TAXED at the 50% mark, TOO!

        TAX THEM ALL!

        April 24, 2012 at 10:26 pm |
  22. dreamer96

    One of Mitch McConnell's trained attack ducks...

    April 21, 2012 at 11:01 pm |
    • 1FreeWorld

      A Little EBONICs for you folks!

      From another BLACK PERSON,,, Ooooopps DemocRAT!

      [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGDm4jkDbGQ&w=640&h=360]

      Now that is a real story!

      April 22, 2012 at 8:58 pm |
  23. jimcolyer

    Joe Biden is one of the weakest vice-presidents in American history.

    April 22, 2012 at 10:28 pm |
  24. Ron in California

    The birds must have been Republicans.

    April 23, 2012 at 10:18 am |
  25. Anakinq Eugeniex

    I all the time download a full show in parts, thatis always existing at YouTube, since my net connection is very slow and YouTube fulfils my desires.

    July 4, 2012 at 3:05 pm |