Meanwhile, in Santa Cruz, Calif., the FAA says it now knows who was flying a Cessna 172 that allegedly “buzzed” a couple of local beaches. They won’t say who the pilot is but they have confirmed it’s not the registered owner of the plane, whose tail number was caught in photos supplied by complainants. As AVweb told you a couple of weeks ago, witnesses claimed the plane flew at an altitude of a few feet — low enough that one woman was worried it would hit her nine-year-old nephew. The local newspaper described the flight as an “attack” on the beach. AVweb got a few e-mails from readers telling much the same story. FAA spokesman Donn Walker said officials have spoken with the pilot and intend to interview him again. Witnesses had earlier complained of FAA foot-dragging on their complaints and an indifferent attitude among agency officials.
…California Buzzing Suspect Found
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA has identified the pilot of a Cessna 172 that allegedly "buzzed" beaches at dangerously low altitudes in Santa Cruz, California.
- The identified pilot is not the registered owner of the aircraft, whose tail number was captured by witnesses.
- Witnesses described the flight as extremely low, causing fear and being characterized by a local newspaper as an "attack" on the beach.
- FAA officials have spoken with the pilot and plan further interviews, following earlier complaints from witnesses about the agency's slow response and indifferent attitude.
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