FAA investigating low-flying plane nearly hitting runway at private Texas airport
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a Boeing 777 cargo aircraft flew dangerously low, with one of its wings just within feet of hitting the ground at a private airport in Texas on Wednesday, officials said.
The plane, which had recently been converted from a passenger plane to a freighter aircraft by a private company, was on a test flight when the pilots performed a low pass at Horseshoe Bay Resort Airport, according to the FAA.
Video shows the plane’s right wing close to hitting the ground as it flies over the runway. FlightRadar24 data shows the plane was within 25 feet of the ground. Air traffic control recordings on LiveATC.net captured communication between the plane’s pilot and an air traffic controller, where the pilot informs the controller they will be performing a “low approach.”
ABC News aviation analyst and contributor Steve Ganyard said the maneuver in the video looked like flat hatting, which is "showing off in a way that was dangerous or endangered that airplane and the rest of the crew."
Although the plane has a Qatar Airways livery, it was not operated by the airline or its pilots. The aircraft is registered to Jetran LLC, which said the plane was undergoing a final pre‑delivery test before being delivered to Qatar Airways to be a part of the airline’s cargo fleet.
The company released a statement saying it was aware of the video circulating online showing a freighter aircraft performing “a low-pass flight in a manner that does not reflect operational standards.”
“We expect the relevant parties and authorities to investigate this matter thoroughly and take appropriate action,” Jetran LLC said in a statement.
