Obama says New York City flyover was 'a mistake'
By Associated Press
Apr 28, 2009 10:33 AM CDT

President Barack Obama says it was a mistake for one of his official airplanes to be sent zooming past the New York City skyline for a publicity photo shoot.

Obama said Tuesday: "It was a mistake, as was stated ... and it will not happen again."

Obama commented after reporters asked about the flight as he prepared to meet with FBI Director Robert Mueller at agency headquarters.

On Monday, one of the Boeing 747s used by Obama and an F-16 jet circled the Statue of Liberty at the start of the work day, startling workers in lower Manhattan who feared a nightmarish replay of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The flight was carried out by the Defense Department. The director of the White House military office apologized for the incident.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) _ President Barack Obama says it was a mistake for one of his official airplanes to be sent zooming past the New York City skyline for a publicity photo shoot.

He said Tuesday it will not happen again.

Obama commented after reporters asked about the flight as he prepared to meet with FBI Director Robert Mueller at agency headquarters.

On Monday, one of the Boeing 747s used by Obama and an F-16 jet circled the Statue of Liberty at the start of the work day, startling workers in lower Manhattan who feared a nightmarish replay of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The flight was carried out by the Defense Department. The director of the White House military office has apologized for the incident.