Buzzed By Airplane Near Dana Point

[JDoe]

Austin and I were buzzed by an airplane that was 20-30' above the water on Saturday at 12:40pm, we were going about 40mph on the sea doos. It scared the crap out of us, I kept hearing the airplane engine getting closer and closer and then it ripped directly over my head. Austin was behind me on the other doo and the plane went directly over his head too. Wait until you hear what Austin has to say.

I ended up calling the FAA and told them about the incident. They told me that it is okay to fly low over the ocean. I asked if I could file a complaint and they asked for the tail number. Unfortunately, I never saw the side of the plane.

Has that ever happened to anyone here?

[BDaly]

I've had this happen multiple times while surfing during the summer up in Norcal. Usually they just fly over the line up and keep going. Cool to see from a board but might be unnerving while driving a pwc.

[Ricardo Cara]

Originally Posted by FJHIII

Austin and I were buzzed by an airplane that was 20-30' above the water on Saturday at 12:40pm, we were going about 40mph on the sea doos. It scared the crap out of us, I kept hearing the airplane engine getting closer and closer and then it ripped directly over my head. Austin was behind me on the other doo and the plane went directly over his head too. Wait until you hear what Austin has to say.

I ended up calling the FAA and told them about the incident. They told me that it is okay to fly low over the ocean. I asked if I could file a complaint and they asked for the tail number. Unfortunately, I never saw the side of the plane.

Has that ever happened to anyone here?

Hey, I think that was Bob Ballew checkin out your shit!

[bluesquids]

[Bill McIntyre]

Ah, North by Northwest. What a classic scene, and I recall being so startled.

BTW, while its been a hell of a long time since I had to know FAA regs, I think I recall something about it being a violation to be below 500 feet within some specified distance from a public beach.

Granted, it was much more obvious if I did it in an F-4.

[bhowell]

From the FAA FAR regulations, I believe 91.119 C would apply. There is also a "careless and wreckless" clause as well.


§ 91.119 Minimum safe altitudes: General.
top
Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:

(a) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.

(b) Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.

(c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.

(d) Helicopters. Helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface. In addition, each person operating a helicopter shall comply with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the Administrator.

[Bob Ballew]

A REAL Diver would have a new world record right now....swish...kerthunk ^ !!! Whooohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\

[tommy7]

I remember a surfer getting into hot water a few years back when he launched his board into the wing of a low flying airplane (true story, believe it or not)

[MACKFISH]

Just a guy having a little fun,relax dude havnt you ever flown over pt loma on the disney ride,this is how they make the films.

[John Hughes]

Originally Posted by FJHIII

Has that ever happened to anyone here?

Only at Clemente.........Those fighter jocks like to mess with you out there and it never fails to rattle you pretty good!

[promethean_spar]

DFG uses airplanes to check on people along the coast. Once off big sur a plane circled us for a while, then when we landed on the beach there were DFG people waiting for us. For all their effort they were severely dissapointed.

[JDoe]

Originally Posted by bhowell

From the FAA FAR regulations, I believe 91.119 C would apply. There is also a "careless and wreckless" clause as well.


§ 91.119 Minimum safe altitudes: General.
top
Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:

(a) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.

(b) Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.

(c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.

(d) Helicopters. Helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface. In addition, each person operating a helicopter shall comply with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the Administrator.

section C is the one that is totally applicable. I really don't have anything on them because I never saw the side of the plane. I would be surprised if that ever happened to me ever again.

[IB Boyd]

Originally Posted by tommy7

I remember a surfer getting into hot water a few years back when he launched his board into the wing of a low flying airplane (true story, believe it or not)

Thats pretty wild!! He had to be +-ten foot off the water or less for that to happen.
I have seen them buzzing the coast while surfing before also. I would imagine it would scare the crap out off somebody on a jet ski...but It does look like fun!!

[Aircowboy]

Tattle Tale.........hows a guy supposed to have a good time!!! Your just jeolous your sea doo can't fly.

[tommy7]

I grew up w/ a guy named Sean Tucker, he later went on to be one of the best stunt pilots in the world. He used to fly his little sesna so low over the ocean that the wheels were almost touching water. I think that I remeber him saying something about a unique situation having to do with the plane and suction or something that actually made the manuver kinda safe. I can't be too sure though as that all happened in the late 60s