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USAF and FAA investigating A-10 aircraft for ‘buzzing’ buildings, ‘scaring residents’


U.S. Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration officials are trying to determine why four U.S. Air Force A-10s flew a low-altitude flight over the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Monday.

Moody Air Force Base said the pilots were participating in routine navigation training from Charlotte to the base, according to the Charlotte Observer.

According to the FAA and the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the pilots were in violation of regulations that require planes to fly 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle unless they are conducting an official stadium flyover.

The statement from the base confirmed the A-10 “Warthogs” flew over the stadium at a “low altitude” and said officials were “looking into the details of the flight.”

Tech Sgt. Zachary Wolf, of Moody’s public affairs office said the classified material that records the A-10’s altitude was not on board during navigation training.

They flyover occurred during during one a Panthers’ practice session at the stadium.  “Oh yeah, we most certainly were caught off-guard. You kind of see everybody wondering what’s going on,” said Coach Rivera.  Rivera described the incident as “pretty awesome.”

“I really appreciated that. I like the fact that they waved at us as they went over,” said Rivera -whose father served in the Army.

The A-10 aircraft were from the 74th fighter squadron of the 23rd Wing at Moody Air Force Base. The aircraft are designed to conduct low-altitude maneuvers so they can provide close-air-support to ground units during combat operations.

Editor’s note: It was originally reported that Tech Sgt. Zachary Wolf said the aircraft’s altitude could be checked with the air traffic control tower at Charlotte Douglas International Airport –as stated in Charlotte Observer’s article- but according to Wolf, this was never said.

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