Air Force Apologizes For Cargo Plane Noise

The Air Force apologized Wednesday after residents of Spokane’s South Hill complained they were startled late at night by low-flying cargo planes.

“I’ve never been so scared in my life,” said Suzanne Hatcher, who was folding laundry and watching television at 11 p.m. Tuesday when the planes rumbled overhead. “I thought a plane was crashing into my house.”

The Air Force will investigate whether the 10 C-141 and C-130 planes violated Federal Aviation Administration rules, said Maj. Matt Durham from the Air Force’s Special Operations Command in Jacksonville, Fla.

Aircraft are required to fly at least 1,000 feet over populated areas.

The planes are from McChord Air Force Base outside Tacoma. They were taking part in an Army Ranger exercise that will continue through today at Fairchild Air Force Base outside Spokane.

Crews of the cargo planes have been ordered to ensure that they fly above 1,000 feet when they make another flight over the Spokane area tonight , Durham said.

“The Air Force apologizes for any disruption caused by our aircraft,” he said.

, DataTimes