FAA Investigates Viral Video of Boeing 777 Extremely Low Flyover at Texas Airport

FAA Investigates Viral Video of Boeing 777 Extremely Low Flyover at Texas Airport

A video purportedly showing a Boeing 777-200LR performing an extremely low flyover at Horseshoe Bay Resort Jet Center in Texas — with the aircraft's wingtip appearing to come dangerously close to the runway surface — ignited fierce debate among aviation enthusiasts on Thursday morning, with many questioning whether the footage was genuine or AI-generated.

"Inches away from disaster. What was the point of this? Dumb, dumb, dumb," said Steve Giordano, a partner at Nomadic Aviation Group and host of the YouTube channel CockpitCasual.

FLYING magazine was unable to independently verify the video's authenticity at press time. Some commenters noted that the 777's flaps appeared to be retracted — unusual for such a low approach — while others questioned whether the aircraft appeared to be flying too slowly. Nevertheless, the FAA stepped in on Thursday.

"The FAA is aware of reports regarding this incident and is investigating," the agency said in a brief statement to FLYING.

Because the 777 was technically in a landing approach configuration, the maneuver does not automatically violate FAA minimum safe altitude regulations. However, authorities typically invoke 14 CFR 91.13, which prohibits careless or reckless operation of an aircraft, as the basis for pursuing pilots who make unsafe decisions.

An unauthorized low flyover could constitute careless operation. Horseshoe Bay Resort is located southwest of Marble Falls, Texas, approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Austin, and is surrounded by residential areas. Pilots found in violation of 14 CFR 91.13 may face suspension or revocation of their certificates and would be required to pass re-examination before being allowed to fly again.

What Happened

The video, apparently filmed from the ramp, clearly shows the widebody aircraft approaching the runway at extremely low altitude. During the pass, the aircraft was banked to the right, with the wingtip appearing to come within feet of the ground. At least one ground crew member can be seen recording the dramatic moment.

The clip was originally posted by X user @EBAviation on Wednesday and quickly spread to Reddit and other platforms, where it attracted widespread skepticism. Visibility surged again on Thursday after FlightRadar24 reshared the video on X. A FlightRadar24 search confirmed that a 777-200 registered as N705DN did indeed pass over Horseshoe Bay Resort Jet Center on Wednesday. According to the airport's website, its runway is 6,000 feet long and "accommodates all types of private and business aircraft up to regional jets" — not a facility designed for widebody operations.

FlightRadar24 noted in its analysis of ADS-B data that the lowest reported altitude during the 777's flyover was 950 feet, which, "when corrected for local pressure and field elevation, equates to approximately 0 feet above ground level." FlightAware recorded a minimum altitude of 1,025 feet during the pass.

Both flight-tracking services showed the 777 departed Grissom Aeroplex (KGUS) in Indiana on Wednesday afternoon at around 3:00 p.m. ET and landed at Alliance Fort Worth Airport (KAFW) in Texas.

According to Planespotters, N705DN was originally operated by Delta Air Lines as a widebody passenger aircraft, delivered in 2009, and acquired in 2020 by Jetran, LLC, a leasing company headquartered at Horseshoe Bay Resort. The aircraft had been stored at Grissom Aeroplex from June 11 to June 24.

Jetran issued a statement on Thursday to aviation news outlet Paddle Your Own Kanoo, which appeared to confirm the video's authenticity.

"We are aware of the video circulating on social media showing a cargo aircraft performing a low flyover in a manner inconsistent with operational standards," the statement read.

Jetran explained that the 777, painted in Qatar Airways livery, was conducting a final test flight ahead of delivery to Qatar Airways Cargo. Qatar Airways previously announced it would be the launch customer for five 777-200LRMF (Long Range Mammoth Freighter) aircraft — converted by Mammoth Freighters and leased from Jetran.

Jetran clarified that the aircraft is not currently owned or operated by Qatar Airways, does not carry a Qatar Airways flight number, and was not crewed by Qatar Airways personnel. Qatar Airways currently operates approximately 30 Boeing 777 freighters.

"We expect a thorough investigation by all relevant parties and authorities, and that appropriate action will be taken," Jetran said.

原文來源： 查看原文