FAA Probes Boeing 777 Low Pass Within 25 Feet of Texas Runway
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Jun 26
FAA Probes Boeing 777 Low Pass Within 25 Feet of Texas Runway
3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Jun 26
Summary
Video and flight-tracking data show the Boeing 777 freighter descended to within 25 feet of the runway at Horseshoe Bay Resort Airport, with its right wing appearing only feet from the ground.
The FAA said the aircraft was on a Wednesday test flight when its pilots told air traffic control they would perform a “low approach” at the private Texas airport.
ABC News aviation analyst Steve Ganyard said the maneuver resembled “flat hatting” — dangerous showing off that could have endangered the aircraft and crew.
Jetran LLC, which registered the recently converted freighter, said the jet was in a final pre-delivery test before joining Qatar Airways’ cargo fleet and that the low pass did not reflect operational standards.
Although the plane carried Qatar Airways livery, the airline and its pilots were not operating the aircraft; the FAA investigation could determine whether any rules were violated.