The Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating a viral video showing a Boeing 777-200LR freighter performing an aggressive low-altitude maneuver near Horseshoe Bay Resort Jet Center in Texas. The incident occurred during a pre-delivery test flight for the converted freighter, which is bound for Qatar Airways Cargo.
Both the conversion firm, Mammoth Freighters, and the aircraft owner, Jetran, issued formal statements distancing themselves from the flight crew. Both entities confirmed that the aircraft was not being operated by Qatar Airways staff at the time. The companies emphasized that the maneuver did not align with accepted industry operational standards.
Industry experts have expressed concern over the safety implications of such flight patterns. Nomadic Aviation Group partner Bob Allen noted via social media that the flight was conducted by a third-party contract crew. While the industry is awaiting the results of the official federal inquiry, the incident has renewed discussions regarding oversight during the final stages of aircraft delivery and the necessity for strict adherence to safety protocols during test flights.