Watch: Boeing 777's near-miss — wing skims inches from runway during risky manoeuvre
A Boeing 777-200LR freighter undergoing delivery to Qatar Airways Cargo has come under scrutiny after a viral video appeared to show the aircraft making an exceptionally low pass over a private airport in Texas, prompting the US Federal Aviation Administration to review the incident.
The aircraft, registered N705DN, is a former Delta Air Lines Boeing 777-200LR that was converted into a freighter by Mammoth Freighters . It is owned by Jetran LLC and is expected to be delivered to Qatar Airways Cargo.
The incident took place on June 24 at Horseshoe Bay Resort Jet Centre Airport, where video footage and ADS-B flight tracking data appeared to show the aircraft passing only a short distance above the runway before banking sharply to the right.
The widely shared footage has fuelled debate among aviation experts and pilots, many of whom questioned the unusually low altitude at which the widebody aircraft was flown. The Boeing 777 is one of the world's largest twin-engine commercial aircraft and is generally operated with generous safety margins during low-level manoeuvres because of its size, weight and performance characteristics.
The FAA confirmed it is examining the viral video after the incident attracted widespread attention on social media and raised questions over flight safety and regulatory compliance.
Aviation specialists who analysed the footage said that low passes are not uncommon during aircraft delivery flights, air displays or ceremonial flypasts. However, several current and former airline pilots said the altitude seen in the video appeared significantly lower than what would normally be expected during such operations.
The aircraft, registered N705DN, is a former Delta Air Lines Boeing 777-200LR that was converted into a freighter by Mammoth Freighters . It is owned by Jetran LLC and is expected to be delivered to Qatar Airways Cargo.
The incident took place on June 24 at Horseshoe Bay Resort Jet Centre Airport, where video footage and ADS-B flight tracking data appeared to show the aircraft passing only a short distance above the runway before banking sharply to the right.
The widely shared footage has fuelled debate among aviation experts and pilots, many of whom questioned the unusually low altitude at which the widebody aircraft was flown. The Boeing 777 is one of the world's largest twin-engine commercial aircraft and is generally operated with generous safety margins during low-level manoeuvres because of its size, weight and performance characteristics.
The FAA confirmed it is examining the viral video after the incident attracted widespread attention on social media and raised questions over flight safety and regulatory compliance.
Aviation specialists who analysed the footage said that low passes are not uncommon during aircraft delivery flights, air displays or ceremonial flypasts. However, several current and former airline pilots said the altitude seen in the video appeared significantly lower than what would normally be expected during such operations.
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