Rocketry Planet

Federal Aviation Administration investigators think it was a model rocket that buzzed a Continental Airlines Commuter jet last week. They don't think it was a missile. It happened around 8 p.m. on May 29. The flight was carrying 23 passengers to Greenville, South Carolina.

Investigators have interviewed the pilots, and based on what they say it appears to be a model rocket. If so, it was no small object. It was five to seven feet long and was flying at 16,000 feet. They also think it was launched from Chambers County, not Liberty County as originally believed.

"Both the pilot and the first officer agrees on the description of this object that they saw coming from towards their airplane," said Chief Deputy Ken DeFoor of the Liberty County Sheriff's Department.

Even though it seem to have been a model rocket it could have been deadly if it hit the jet.

"Initially it was coming straight at the aircraft. The aircraft was gaining altitude so the rocket passed underneath the belly and went on behind the airplane," said DeFoor.

"We think right now that it more closely resembles a civilian hobby rocket than a military rocket or a missile, but until we get our hands on it we're not sure," DeFoor added.

So how could the pilot and first officer tell the difference while flying 245 miles an hour?

"Normally a model rocket has only tail fins. It does not have guidance system with wings or fins forward up near the nose. The pilot and the first officer said they did not see any wings on the front of it which would lead us to believe it may be a civilian hobby rocket, but we are not ruling out any possibilities," DeFoor said.

The investigation is far from over. A helicopter will search the area on Monday. The public is also being asked to help.

"If anyone finds this in their woods, or in their back yard do not touch it because it is part of a criminal investigation. Contact your local law enforcement agency," DeFoor said.

A similar incident happened about a year ago. A Continental jet that had just taken off from Bush Intercontinental Airport also had a near miss with what appeared to be a model rocket. That case is also unresolved.

Copyright © 2009, KIAH-TV.

Reader comments:

#1 Re: Article: Model rocket buzzes Continental jet claims authorities

This is getting weird. Two unexplained incidents both in that area both involving commercial airliners? I know of other incidents (LAX for example) as well. I can not rule out gonzo flights but the motors are LOUD. It seems hard to imagine this was a hobby rocket.

UncleVanya on 06-06-2009 01:42 PM

#2 Re: Article: Model rocket buzzes Continental jet claims authorities

245MPH. Can you determine if a "model rocket" has forward fins? I find the entire slew of articles coming out of Texas about this incident inaccurate and fear-mongering.

ddmobley on 06-06-2009 01:51 PM

#3 Re: Article: Model rocket buzzes Continental jet claims authorities

Having been in light aircraft intentionally near rocket launches, I can say you can readily see the trail at 1-2 miles range, from any angle you can see through a window.

Having seen a rocket hit an aircraft and seeing the result, aircraft operators have nothing at all to worry about and movie maker's jobs are harder to make a cool effect, although the stunt pilots are exceedingly safe.

It is a good idea to educate rocket users to not fly near aircraft and if this is not being followed, we certainly need to do wider education on this matter. It is the one area where federal regulation actually makes sense and there is no need to violate it.

We are operating rockets VFR, and we have an obligation to give aircraft the right of way because we come from non-intuitive directions at unmanageable speed for a pilot.

Having flown tens of thousands of rockets, the only time I have ever seen rockets flown while civilian non-movie aircraft were in view was at LDRS-20 at Lucerne Valley, CA hosted by TRA and ROC. They received a fine from BLM for permit violations and the aircraft incidents were not reported best I can tell.

We need to educate people about waiver requirements and methods, right of way, VFR rules, and courtesy to fellow airspace users.

Jerry

Just Jerry on 06-06-2009 02:00 PM

#4 Re: Article: Model rocket buzzes Continental jet claims authorities

@16K ft and approx. 7 ft long.....doesn't sound like a model rocket to me...


terry dean

shockwaveriderz on 06-06-2009 02:22 PM

#5 Re: Article: Model rocket buzzes Continental jet claims authorities

Quote:

@16K ft and approx. 7 ft long.....doesn't sound like a model rocket to me...


terry dean

At all points during the legal process no federal authority differentiated between "model rocketry" and "high power rocketry". They call all civilian rockets "model rocketry".

Knowing this, perhaps WE should change OUR behavior.

Jerry

Just Jerry on 06-06-2009 02:37 PM

#6 Re: Article: Model rocket buzzes Continental jet claims authorities

Quote:

At all points during the legal process no federal authority differentiated between "model rocketry" and "high power rocketry". They call all civilian rockets "model rocketry".

Knowing this, perhaps WE should change OUR behavior.

Jerry

close but no cigar. The FAA clearly distinguishes between model rockets and hpr or as they call them class 1 and class 2.

(a) Class 1—Model Rocket means an amateur rocket that:
(1) Uses no more than 125 grams (4.4 ounces) of propellant;
(2) Uses a slow-burning propellant;
(3) Is made of paper, wood, or breakable plastic;
(4) Contains no substantial metal parts; and
(5) Weighs no more than 1,500 grams (53 ounces), including the propellant.


(b) Class 2—High-Power Rocket means an amateur rocket other than a model rocket that is propelled by a motor or motors having a combined total impulse of 40,960 Newton-seconds (9,208 pound-seconds) or less.


(c) Class 3—Advanced High-Power Rocket means an amateur rocket other than a model rocket or high-power rocket.


Notice that ALL 3 types of rockets are also defined as an amateur rocket.

The fact that the government doesn't use its own definitions when describing these events leads to ambiguity..they need to be more precise in their use of language.



terry dean

shockwaveriderz on 06-06-2009 03:17 PM

#7 Re: Article: Model rocket buzzes Continental jet claims authorities

Quote:

Initially it was coming straight at the aircraft. The aircraft was gaining altitude so the rocket passed underneath the belly and went on behind the airplane," said DeFoor.

Like in horizontal Those Aliens are getting pretty clever now, disguising their spacecraft to look like model rockets!!! The whole story sounds screwy.

rcktnut on 06-06-2009 03:32 PM

#8 Re: Article: Model rocket buzzes Continental jet claims authorities

Quote:

The whole story sounds screwy.

Without a doubt...

ddmobley on 06-06-2009 03:53 PM

#9 Re: Article: Model rocket buzzes Continental jet claims authorities

Quote:

The fact that the government doesn't use its own definitions when describing these events leads to ambiguity..they need to be more precise in their use of language.
terry dean

They do it on purpose Terry, and that's my point.

Just Jerry

Just Jerry on 06-06-2009 04:22 PM

#10 Re: Article: Model rocket buzzes Continental jet claims authorities

Quote:

Like in horizontal Those Aliens are getting pretty clever now, disguising their spacecraft to look like model rockets!!! The whole story sounds screwy.

Bingo! Back in the '60s or '70s when a pilot saw something unusual, he claimed to have seen a "UFO" or "flying saucer." Today, he claims to have seen a "rocket" or "missile." The more things change ....

-- Roger

jadebox on 06-06-2009 10:34 PM

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