pilot reported as a “missile or rocket” flying near his airplane.

[HK4U]

Liberty Co., FAA to discuss report of object near plane
By MIKE GLENN Copyright 2009 HOUSTON CHRONICLE
June 1, 2009, 11:38PM
Share Print Share Del.icio.usDiggTwitterYahoo! BuzzFacebookStumbleUponLiberty County Sheriff’s officials are expected to meet with the FAA on Tuesday to discuss what a Continental Express pilot reported as a “missile or rocket” flying near his airplane.

A pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration that at about 8:15 p.m. Friday, an object passed within 150 feet beneath the aircraft, sheriff’s officials said.

The aircraft was near the southern edge of the county, flying at about 13,000 feet, officials said.

“The pilot, from what we understand, was former military. He was able to get the coordinates down real quick,” said Cpl. Hugh Bishop with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff’s deputies searched Friday night for signs of evidence where a missile might have been launched or landed.

“We couldn’t find anything,” Bishop said.

[CathyInBlue]

Could've been a large-scale amateur rocketeer who flew a rocket to that altitude without notifying the FAA. Regs National Association of Rocketry state if you're going above 1500 feet, you have to get FAA clearance before flight.

[1911 Headbanger]

13,000 feet is a long way up for a rocket unless it is a true anti-aircraft missle (SAM). I don't know if any of the portable Stinger type shoulder fired missles will actually reach an aircraft at 13,000 feet or not. Never heard of that happening. Could have been some form of amateur rocket as CathyInBlue stated, or someone with a shoulder fired missle that didn't reach the targets altitude. He said is was below him by at least 150 feet, but that's still pretty close. Who knows? I doubt that they will find anything if they haven't made any statements by now.

[Glock Fan]

The story made the evening news on the local Fox affiliate tonite. The FAA is investigating and the current word is that the rocket got within 100 feet of the commercial aircraft.



gf