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Pilot reports seeing a rocket in mid-air
Some weird things can happen in the skies. At least if you are the Continental Airlines pilot who reported seeing a rocket fly past his cockpit window while he was about eight miles away from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. "We don't know for sure what the object was. But we think it might be somebody doing model rocketing," said Roland Herwig, an FAA spokesman. "The pilot saw the rocket and some people saw the rocket's trail (of smoke)."
The incident has turned into a full-blown federal investigation, with both the FAA and the FBI looking into the matter. Fortunately no one was harmed or scathed. Just a little weirded out that a rocket may have flown past the cockpit window.
What strange things have been found on planes?
Click the image to read the bizarre story...
Filed under: North America, United States, Airlines, News
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 4)
spikeokc Jun 1st 2008 4:52PM
Since it was cuntinental, it's a shame it didn't hit the aircraft.
Maybe the pilot was drunk?
Phil Jun 1st 2008 5:12PM
The Pilot's wife did it for the insurance money so she and her boyfriend could move to Hawaii
Phil Jun 1st 2008 5:18PM
but she missed
Phillip Jun 1st 2008 5:18PM
The pilot's wife did it for the insurance money so she and her boyfriend could move to Hawaii
Phillip Jun 1st 2008 5:17PM
But She Missed
Phillip Jun 1st 2008 5:21PM
But She Missed
jdub Jun 1st 2008 6:08PM
The long objects on extra long trailers may well be wind turbine blades-GE makes them in eastern PA and is shipping large numbers to a large wind farm that T. Boone Pickens is building in Texas. The are long and white and large round with bolt holes on one end and almost flat at the other, over 40' long, maybe as much as 8'wide.
As for the rockets, ill informed or uncaring citizens endanger flilght routinely. Loose balloon bouquets, kites hundreds of feet off ground in close proximity to airports, bullets from disgruntled hunters through planes over hunting grounds near airports-this stuff happens occasionally. Report it when you see it happen, and don't be one of them please.
26 years as a controller, you think you've seen it all, then a new wrinkle presents itself-and you just handle it.
chrisk1775 Jun 1st 2008 6:00PM
didn't anyone see the movie Astronaut Farmer?
Rdmu10746 Jun 1st 2008 6:08PM
John Howell saying that there has not been an US airline crash in 7 years is totally wrong! Comair had a plane go down on take off from the wrong runway at Lexington, KY killig 49 people in Aug. of 2006! Better brush up on your facts before stating them. And yes, I agree the airlines need to regulated again. They have proven they can't be trusted without it!
vance jackson Jun 1st 2008 6:25PM
They did not tell the rest of the story. The pilot also reported that he saw Rocky and Bullwinkle riding on the rocket. He stated that Rocky gave him the finger as they passed. He said it made him mad so he gave Rocky the finger back. I really wonder what this pilot was drinking or smoking prior to takeoff.
Rob Jun 1st 2008 6:32PM
I really don't think it was anything related to the military. If so they would have to advise the FAA and all of the FSS in that area if they were doing any testing that day. The airspace would have been restriced to any aircraft that would pass through that testing area. As a pilot we have to deal with this sort of thing when anyone is doing any sort of testing. I think it was someone who modified one of those rocket kits to go that high. I know people who have been able to get them as high at 3000 with some minor modifications done to them. So I would put this to rest
Mark Jun 1st 2008 6:37PM
"Houston, We have a problem"
Mark Jun 1st 2008 6:38PM
"Houston, We have a problem"
Mr Balloon Jun 1st 2008 6:50PM
They found my BALLOON !
Mike Jun 1st 2008 7:51PM
Get TSA involved they will FIND the 6year-old culprit
Mike Hawk Jun 1st 2008 8:11PM
Model rockets should be take seriously for the efficiency and incredible launching power.
For those who doubt that there are other beings living among us, take into account this mysterious fact:
1 in every 4 U.S. citizens have either owned, built, or have known someone who has built a model rocket.
With the vast consumption of these "models" how do we doubt that there are beings on other planets and galaxies that are similar to us.