DJ US Jets Escort Delta Jet Back To Atlanta;Transponder Flaw

ATLANTA (AP)--Two U.S. National Guard fighter jets escorted a Delta Air Lines
(DAL) plane back to Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport on Friday after the
plane's transponder malfunctioned shortly after taking off.
The plane took off at 7:50 a.m., and two F-16 jets from Robins Air Force Base
intercepted the Washington-bound MD-88 18 minutes later, according to the North
American Aerospace Defense Command in Colorado.
The Delta jet, with nine passengers, landed at 8:15 a.m. They were put on other
flights to Washington.
The transponder sends information about a plane's identity, altitude, speed and
direction to air traffic controllers. The FAA requested the jet escort at 8 a.m.,
said Marine Corp. Maj. Mike Snyder, a NORAD spokesman. Robins AFB is south of Macon.

Controllers are particularly sensitive about transponder data since Sept. 11,
when terrorists hijacked four jets and switched off the transponders.

(END) DOW JONES NEWS 01-11-02
12:17 PM- - 12 17 PM EST 01-11-02