Boeing 777 Skims Runway at 25 Feet in Texas, Sparking FAA Investigation
A Boeing 777 aircraft was caught on video performing a startlingly low flyover at the Horseshoe Bay Resort Jet Center in Central Texas this week, reigniting concerns over unnecessary aviation stunts and prompting a federal investigation.
Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 indicated the massive jetliner descended to no more than 25 feet above the runway during the approach on Wednesday. The maneuver was captured by onlookers and shared widely on social media, drawing scrutiny from aviation experts and regulators.
Audio recordings from LiveATC.net captured the pilot coordinating with air traffic control before the pass: “We are turning final runway 17 for a low approach, 5DN heavy.” The transmission suggested the move was pre-planned, though its purpose remains under review.
The aircraft, painted in Qatar Airways livery, is owned by Jetran, a leasing firm based in Horseshoe Bay. Jetran confirmed the plane was undergoing a final pre-delivery test flight ahead of its scheduled entry into the Qatar Airways Cargo fleet. In a statement, the company emphasized that the aircraft was not operated by Qatar Airways, did not bear a Qatari registration, and the pilots were not Qatar Airways personnel. “We expect the relevant parties and authorities to investigate this matter thoroughly and take appropriate action,” Jetran added.
Qatar Airways separately confirmed on Saturday that the jet belongs to a leasing company and that the test flight was not conducted by the airline. “The flight was not operated by Qatar Airways and the pilots were not our personnel,” the airline stated.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it has launched an investigation into the incident. Former National Transportation Safety Board Chair Robert Sumwalt condemned the move as “another example of stupid pilot tricks,” warning that the pilots could face credential suspension. “I see no legitimate reason at all to perform this maneuver the way that it was done,” Sumwalt told CBS News. “They clearly had planned it, they had an audience standing by to watch it and to video it, so there's no real reason why they should have been doing this.”
Aviation safety experts note that such low passes, while sometimes conducted for training or ceremonial purposes, carry significant risk, especially with a large aircraft like the Boeing 777. The incident adds to a history of pilots facing disciplinary action for unauthorized low flyovers, which can cause alarm among residents and disrupt air traffic operations.