Source: Mystery plane in Quincy, Massachusetts, was following Matanov

Numerous residents complained about the low-altitude planes flying at odd hours in the city, though the FAA refused to comment on its purpose beyond confirming it was not an aerial drone.

QUINCY – The mysterious  plane that made overnight loops around Quincy and perplexed a slew of city residents last spring was being used for surveillance of Khairullozhon Matanov, the latest man charged in the Boston Marathon bombings investigation, a source with knowledge of the case said Friday.

The source, who spoke to The Patriot Ledger on a condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to discuss the case, said the aircraft was being used by investigators to track Matanov, who lives on Common Street in West Quincy.

Last spring, residents from Wollaston to West Quincy called the city and police to complain about an aircraft making wide, repeated loops in the air, between about 7 p.m. and 4 a.m. The residents described a low-pitch humming sound coming from the aircraft, and some said it was reminiscent of a drone, which is an unmanned aircraft operated by remote control.

In response, the Federal Aviation Administration said it knew what was up there but it wouldn’t tell the public. “It’s not a drone,” FAA spokesman Jim Peters said at the time. “It’s an authorized flight, and we are aware of it.”

The source who confirmed the aircraft was being used to surveil Matanov said investigators followed him for about a year, waiting to see if he was involved in a larger conspiracy.

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