BRIEF: Miami activist accused of flying plane into jet's path

Aug. 30--MIAMI -- An airport activist has been arrested more than a year after police say he flew his plane into the path of a jet three times, apparently to protest tests by the jet at Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport.

According to Miami-Dade police, a Brazilian crew was qualifying new flight equipment for steep approaches on May 30, 2006, when Thomas Shaffer, 49, flew his Piper Seminole twin-engine aircraft in the direct path of the jet.

At one point he came within 100 feet of the jet, which could have caused a mid-air collision, police said.

Police believe Shaffer, of Miami, was trying to thwart the testing.

Shaffer had previously expressed objections to the tests, saying they would have a negative effect on runway expansion plans at the airport.

Shaffer, who was arrested Wednesday, was charged with reckless operation of an aircraft. He remained in jail Thursday on a $150,000 bond.

The Federal Aviation Administration revoked Shaffer's license shortly after the near-collision. Shaffer appealed to the National Transportation Safety Board, but an administrative law judge and later the full NTSB upheld the revocation.

He has not applied to regain his license, FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said Thursday.

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