Solar Powered-Plane That Left Moffett Field In May, Makes Final Leg Of Cross-Country Flight
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- A solar-powered aircraft has completed a history-making cross-country flight, landing at New York's JFK airport.
The Solar Impulse flew out of Dulles International Airport in Washington a little before 5 a.m. Saturday en route to New York City and landed shortly after 11 p.m.
An unexpected tear was found on the left wing of the revolutionary plane earlier Saturday, forcing the aircraft to land three hours ahead of schedule. Officials said neither the pilot nor aircraft appeared to be in danger.
The accelerated schedule forced flight officials to scrap a planned fly-by past the Statue of Liberty and head straight to JFK.
The aircraft, powered by some 11,000 solar cells, soars to 30,000 feet while poking along at a top speed of 45 mph. The Solar Impulse left Mountain View in early May and has made stopovers in Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, St. Louis, Cincinnati and Dulles.
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