Scare Prompts Study of Evacuation Policy

Capitol Police Chief Terrance W. Gainer is meeting with security experts to determine whether evacuating 35,000 people from Capitol buildings when a small plane violates Washington’s restricted airspace is the safest policy amid criticism from experts that it might create even more danger.

Gainer said a group of engineers, security experts, social scientists and aeronautical engineers from Texas A&M; University had already begun studying the issue when a small plane that headed toward downtown Washington on Wednesday created a midday crisis.

Unable to establish contact with the pilots, and with the plane coming within three miles of the White House, Gainer ordered the evacuation of Capitol buildings. Officials also cleared the White House and the Supreme Court until the plane was forced to land in Frederick, Md.