Thu, Jun 04, 2009
ExpressJet Pilot Reports "Missle or Rocket"
Local Texas officials and federal
law enforcement got together this week to try to determine just
what an ExpressJet Airlines pilot saw while flying at about 13,000
over Liberty, Texas last Friday.
According to a report in The Houston Chronicle, The pilot
reported a “missile or rocket” flying near his airplane
Friday at 2009, shortly after takeoff from Bush
Intercontinental Airport, according to sheriff’s officials.
“The FAA then contacted the Liberty County department
dispatcher and reported their pilot reported an object flying
straight at his aircraft and passed 100 feet under it,” said
Ken DeFoor, chief deputy for the Liberty County Sheriff’s
Department.
FBI spokeswoman Shauna Dunlap said the agency was aware of the
sighting. “While we have no information to indicate there was
a criminal act we certainly do not rule anything out and certainly
would not want to speculate on what it may or may not have
been,” she said.
DeFoor said he knows local hobbyists fire rockets nearby, but
did not know if any were in the area when the incident occurred.
“Were checking with club owners and presidents,” he
said. “If we can get a correct track of what this object was
there is no need to check with hobby fields.”
If the object was a rocket, DeFoor said, it was launched
illegally. “They have to have permits to use the
airspace,” he said.
A Continental Arilines pilot reported a similar incident in May
of last year.
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