Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Loud airplane rattles nerves overnight: Show Low Regional Airport (KSOW), Arizona

SHOW LOW — A number of people in Show Low said they heard a loud, low flying jet pass over their homes at approximately 11 p.m. the night of Aug. 12 and wanted to know what it was all about.

Glen Boyd at the Show low Regional Airport said it was a non-incident explaining that it was an air ambulance out of Mexico heading home.

He said the pilot called in hours earlier notifying airport after hours personnel that he needed to refuel at Show Low Airport. The air ambulance landed around 9:30 p.m. at which time it was refueled while the crew took a short break.

Boyd said they took off at almost exactly 11 p.m. adding that there was a slight language barrier. Boyd said the pilot apparently did not understand that they were supposed to head north after take-off in order to comply with the city’s noise abatement ordinance.

Because of the misunderstanding they flew directly over town causing homes and windows to shake, rattle and roll and prompting a lot of people to wonder what was going on. Boyd said he stayed late at the airport in anticipation that people would call, which they did and then got an explanation.

Boyd did not say if there would or would not be any fines associated with the minor communication snafu.

He said the reason it was so loud is because it was an older Learjet 25 that was not retrofitted with a “hush” kit.

He said there are not that many still flying in the U.S. but those that do are typically retrofitted to lessen engine noise.

Boyd said as a precaution Show Low Police was informed.

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