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Continental pilot startled by encounter with 'rocket'(Houston)
Houston Chronicle via Drudge Report ^ | May 26, 2008 | CINDY HORSWELL

Posted on 05/27/2008 6:17:15 AM PDT by RDTF

A Continental Airlines pilot reported being startled by what he described as a rocket that shot past his cockpit window Monday when the plane was about eight miles north of George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force are investigating the incident, which occurred about 10:30 a.m.

"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)."

Continental Airlines spokeswoman Kelly Cripe said Monday night that she could not discuss what was seen by the crew of Flight 1544. She would only say that the Boeing 737, with 148 passengers. left Bush at 10:17 a.m. and arrived in Cleveland, Ohio at 2:13 p.m.

She said the pilot made no diversionary maneuvers, and she added the plane was not damaged, and nobody was injured.

The FAA does not yet know how close the object came to the plane or what altitude it reached. "We will determine that by establishing a radar history," Herwig said.

FBI spokeswoman Shauna Dunlap stressed that it is "routine" for the FBI to look into suspicious activity involving an aircraft.

"We don't know if it was a rocket or what. We will interview everyone and determine the validity of what was seen," she said.

If it was model rocket, investigators want to know the type and who launched it.

"Building rockets is a legitimate hobby, but hobbyists have to let the FAA know what they're doing," Herwig said.

-snip-

(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Texas
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To: driftdiver
We are supposed to believe a commercial jet was at 5000 feet of altitude 8 miles from the runway. The plane had taken off and should have been gaining altitude.

I don't know about Houston, but some airports (like John Wayne in OC) have "noise-abatement" procedures, where they have to climb sharply and level off quick at a lower altitude, drop the power and get out of town before they continue up to whatever altitude they are headed for.

41 posted on 05/27/2008 8:34:21 AM PDT by Ramius (Personally, I give us... one chance in three. More tea?)
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To: Larry Lucido

Heh... thought of that, too. I just saw Ironman yesterday. Awesome movie. Gotta see it again.


42 posted on 05/27/2008 8:35:19 AM PDT by Ramius (Personally, I give us... one chance in three. More tea?)
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To: Ramius

I guess you guys are right, I just don’t expect the truth where these folks are involved. these folks = FAA and or JTTF as it relates to the airline industry.


43 posted on 05/27/2008 8:37:47 AM PDT by driftdiver
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To: The Louiswu

When my kids were younger we lost a bunch of them in the suburbs around here. I gave one with lower class motors to my GF’s kid last month and have to aim it into the wind to target a recovery area. So far we haven’t lost it.


44 posted on 05/27/2008 8:44:45 AM PDT by Rebelbase (McCain: The Third Bush Term ?)
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To: driftdiver

I dive out of Fort Pierce and Stuart. Not as clear usually but less picked over for lobsters and less folks.
Once in a while the keys or Weekie Watchie and Hospital Hole.


45 posted on 05/27/2008 10:11:47 AM PDT by Joe Boucher (An enemy of Islam)
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To: humblegunner
All right, what have you HAT Rednecks been up to now? I mean blowing up lemons on your head is one thing.. but.. shesh!
46 posted on 05/27/2008 10:27:12 AM PDT by El Gato ("The Second Amendment is the RESET button of the United States Constitution." -- Doug McKay)
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To: Allegra; humblegunner
It occurs to me that 8 miles from Bush is not far from The Keep. Maybe the midget did it? Or that raggedy assed “terrorist” traded in his sword and AK for a SAM?
47 posted on 05/27/2008 10:31:14 AM PDT by El Gato ("The Second Amendment is the RESET button of the United States Constitution." -- Doug McKay)
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To: driftdiver
A ground launched missile would have went for the engines and not the cockpit.

What they go for and what they actually manage are two different things, Especially if they've burned out or the seeker loses lock for some reason.

48 posted on 05/27/2008 10:34:29 AM PDT by El Gato ("The Second Amendment is the RESET button of the United States Constitution." -- Doug McKay)
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To: RDTF; All
At the Atlas Shrugs site they posted comments from a internal pilots website:

Missile Shot

====================

Just got back from the 5 day Bogata trip. We pulled up the Atis for IAH on the way in and it advised to exercise extreme caution for MANPAD events. Queried dispatch and they were clueless. Center said someone reported a missile launched at or near their a/c 11 miles east of IAH. Did anyone learn what happened or if this is bogus?

====================

Just landed from SLC. Theres's nothing on ATIS now & we didn't hear anything about it on the way in. I guess the FAA/NTSB/DOT/FBI/CIA/NSA/KGB/PBS cover up has already begun. The Truth is Out There!

49 posted on 05/27/2008 10:56:31 AM PDT by OnRightOnLeftCoast (I'm Republican because I don't qualify for welfare)
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To: RDTF; All
At the Atlas Shrugs site they posted comments from a internal pilots website:

Missile Shot

====================

Just got back from the 5 day Bogata trip. We pulled up the Atis for IAH on the way in and it advised to exercise extreme caution for MANPAD events. Queried dispatch and they were clueless. Center said someone reported a missile launched at or near their a/c 11 miles east of IAH. Did anyone learn what happened or if this is bogus?

====================

Just landed from SLC. Theres's nothing on ATIS now & we didn't hear anything about it on the way in. I guess the FAA/NTSB/DOT/FBI/CIA/NSA/KGB/PBS cover up has already begun. The Truth is Out There!

50 posted on 05/27/2008 10:56:31 AM PDT by OnRightOnLeftCoast (I'm Republican because I don't qualify for welfare)
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Comment #51 Removed by Moderator

To: Lizarde
Somebody who observed the plane said on the radio they thought it was armed.....

Unless by "Armed" one means with bombs, the only visible armament on the A-10 might be Sidewinder (AIM-9) self defense missiles.

Otherwise, A-10s are always armed. They are a gun with an airplane wrapped around it. Although usually only carry practice ammunition. But even that would ruin the day of some Jihadi should the Hog need to take him out.

There is an A-10 Air Guard unit at Battle Creek Michigan, about 160 air miles from Cleveland.

52 posted on 05/27/2008 4:52:20 PM PDT by El Gato ("The Second Amendment is the RESET button of the United States Constitution." -- Doug McKay)
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To: P8riot

I have often wondered what an old Wild Weasel pilot would do. That would be a E ticket and probably bend the wings on the aircraft.


53 posted on 05/27/2008 4:55:09 PM PDT by mad_as_he$$ (Will this thread be jacked by a Mormon?)
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To: JimRed
There is a mosque literally within eye-shot of the runway at George Bush Intercontinental. Almost perfect stinger range.
54 posted on 05/27/2008 9:42:24 PM PDT by ol painless (ol' painless is out of the bag)
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