The FBI is investigating the sighting of a jet pack from two airline pilots on separate flights near Los Angeles International Airport
Airline pilots have reported sightings of a “guy in a jet pack” flying 3,000ft in the sky above LA, near Los Angeles International Airport.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation had said on Tuesday that it has launched a probe following pilots landing at Los Angeles International Airport over the weekend having reported seeing a man in a jet pack flying right next to them.
Airline experts have told local media that the incident was likely to be the result of a prank that could have potentially ended in a tragedy, as the jet pack could have been sucked into one of the jet engines or caused the planes to crash.
At least two airline different crews approaching the airport on Sunday evening had reported seeing the person in a jet pack flying directly in the path of incoming jets.
Several US media outlets have obtained a recording of the communications between the two pilots and air traffic control, which has revealed further details of the incident.
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“The FBI is aware of the reports by pilots on Sunday and is working to determine what may have occurred,” spokesperson Laura Eimiller told AFP in a statement.
In the recording, one pilot says: “Tower, American 1997. We just passed a guy in a jet pack.”
The controller responds: “America 1997, okay – were they off to your left side or right side?”
The pilot says: “Off the left side, maybe 300 yards or so, about our altitude.”
A few seconds later, another pilot tells the tower: “We just saw the guy pass by us in a jet pack.”
The controller then urges the pilot of a JetBlue flight to “use caution”, adding: “Person in a jet pack reported 300 yards south of the LA final at about 3,000ft.”
An unidentified person then says: “Only in LA.”
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In a statement to NBC News, it said: “Two airline flight crews reported seeing what appeared to be someone in a jet pack as they were on their final approaches to LAX around 6.35pm (local time) [on] Sunday.
“The FAA alerted local law enforcement to the reports, and is looking into these reports.”
“Two airline flight crews reported seeing what appeared to be someone in a jet pack as they were on their final approach to LAX around 6.35pm on Sunday,” FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said.
