Full Breakdown
Boeing 777 Freighter Low-Pass at Horseshoe Bay Resort Jet Center Prompts FAA Review
6/27/2026, 9:23:03 PM
Incident Overview
On 24 June 2026 a Boeing 777-200LRMF freighter (registration N705DN), owned by Jetran LLC and converted by Mammoth Freighters, performed a low-altitude pass over the runway at Horseshoe Bay Resort Jet Center (DZB) in Texas. Video shows the right wing tip within a few feet of the ground as the aircraft turned. FlightRadar24 recorded an altitude of roughly 25 feet AGL; ADS-B telemetry listed 950 feet, which after adjusting for the airport’s 1,080-foot elevation suggests the aircraft may have been essentially runway-level.
Background and Test-Flight Context
The airplane, originally a Delta Air Lines 777-200LR, was being readied for delivery to Qatar Airways Cargo. The flight was a final pre-delivery test before the aircraft joins the carrier’s cargo fleet. Although painted in Qatar Airways livery, the airline did not own, register, or crew the aircraft.
Official Statements & Responses
The FAA said it is reviewing the incident. Jetran said the aircraft was on a final test and expects the relevant parties and authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly and take appropriate action. Mammoth Freighters clarified it was not the owner nor in control of the aircraft. Qatar Airways reiterated the plane was not its property and directed inquiries to Jetran.
Criticism and Industry Opposition
Aviation analysts condemned the maneuver as unsafe. Steve Ganyard called it “flat hatting,” a form of “showing off in a way that was dangerous or endangered that airplane and the rest of the crew.” Former NTSB chair Robert Sumwalt called it “another example of stupid pilot tricks” and said he “sees no legitimate reason at all to perform this maneuver the way that it was done.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the precise altitude—FlightRadar24 versus ADS-B telemetry. The video’s authenticity is labeled “unconfirmed” by some outlets, though multiple reports verify the low-pass occurrence. No details have been released about the flight crew’s identities or any immediate safety violations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “showing off in a way that was dangerous or endangered that airplane and the rest of the crew.” — Steve Ganyard, ABC News aviation analyst
- “I see no legitimate reason at all to perform this maneuver the way that it was done,” — Robert Sumwalt, former NTSB chair
- “We expect the relevant parties and authorities to investigate this matter thoroughly and take appropriate action.” — Jetran LLC spokesperson
- “The FAA is looking into the matter,” — Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson
Potential Outcomes and Next Steps
The FAA investigation may result in enforcement actions, such as suspension of the pilots’ certificates, as suggested by former NTSB chair Robert Sumwalt. Jetran and Mammoth Freighters could face additional regulatory scrutiny. Qatar Airways remains the intended customer but has not been implicated in the operation.
