It’s not unusual to see aircraft do low passes, whereby they fly at a low altitude above the ground, especially for things like air shows. Well, a newly converted freighter Boeing 777 that’s about to be delivered to Qatar Airways just did a wild low pass, which nearly ended in disaster. Something tells me that the pilot who did this will be in some major trouble…
In this post:
Future Qatar Airways 777 freighter performs dangerous low pass
There’s a video that’s getting quite a bit of attention online, which was filmed on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, showing a Boeing 777-200LR doing a low pass at Horseshoe Bay Resort Jet Center. The plane in question has the registration code N705DN. It’s a 17-year-old former Delta 777, which the airline retired in early 2020, when it decided to get rid of that entire fleet type. Now the plane has undergone a passenger to freighter conversion, and it will soon fly for Qatar Airways Cargo.
The plane was flying from Grissom Aeroplex in Gus, Indiana (GUS), to Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas (AFW), with a total flight time of just under around three hours.
As you can see above, the plane didn’t take the most direct routing, and made a detour to fly over Horseshoe Bay Resort Jet Center, Texas (DZB).
Why would they do that? Well, this conversion was done in partnership with Jetran, an aircraft leasing, sales, and aviation services company. Since the company is based in Horseshoe Bay, I’d imagine the intention was for the plane to make a visit to the airport prior to being delivered.
As you’d expect when there’s a low pass (there’s a clue in the name), the plane traveled at a very low altitude over the runway, with the landing gear retracted. That’s not unusual as such, but two things stand out. First, the plane reached an especially low altitude. Next, the pilot then made a right turn without having sufficient altitude, to the point that the wing was just feet off of the ground.
Take a look at just how close the right wing got to the ground around 13 seconds into the video. We’re talking a matter of feet — this was so close to being a catastrophic disaster. Even worse is that there’s a community right next to the airport, so this could’ve impacted a lot of people.
Obviously pilots are typically well trained and have procedures they’re supposed to follow, but these kinds of low passes are still a very manual procedure. Over the years, we’ve seen some low passes end in tragedy, with accidents. It happens way more than it should, to the point that one wonders why these kinds of procedures are still allowed.
All it would’ve taken is a tiny gust of wind or something of the sorts, and this would’ve been an epic disaster.
A lot of parties are going to be really unhappy about this
One certainly wonders how planned out this maneuver was, or if it was something they just decided on at the last minute. Like, did they have a detailed briefing about how exactly this low pass would go down, and if so, was this the plan all along. I’m sure the pilot in command of this aircraft would take on the “cool guy” persona, and claim he had it all under control. However, most experienced pilots look at this and immediately see how reckless it was.
I’m not sure who the pilot was who was in charge of this aircraft, but I imagine that Qatar Airways, among other parties, will be very unhappy about this. For that matter, it seems that this is something that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) should investigate, because obviously this posed a risk to others as well.
Bottom line
A recently converted cargo Boeing 777 performed a dangerous low pass at Horseshoe Bay Resort Jet Center, in Texas. The plane was enroute from Gus to Fort Worth, and presumably made a low pass due to one of the companies involved in the conversion being based there.
While low passes are always a sight to behold, this was simply too close for comfort, and the right wing ended up just feet from striking the ground. Everyone involved should count their lucky stars that this didn’t end differently.
What do you make of this cargo 777 low pass?
Camera angles are hard to judge. Quite a bit of space between wing and ground.
Was it the smartest decision in human history? No. Nothing happened. It was a cool stunt. Blogs like this wining about this doesn’t help anyone.
Ben, why would Qatar airways be “very unhappy” about this? Nothing happened to their aircraft, so why would they care?
Ever heard of risk, Andrew?
It's an asset of theirs, in their colours, that was close to incurring unnecessary costs and "causing brand damage".
That's why.
Not only about being their asset but it now carries their branding.
Wherever this video is circulated, it will be called a QR aircraft even if it's not in their fleet yet.
If the manoeuvre was unsuccessful, the headlines won't look nice, it subsequent pictures will show a QR plane on fire.
Very true. Someone watching this clip a year later might think QR pilots or reckless.
Mammoth the refurb company ourfitting these planes for cargo usage, has several under contract. My understanding is this was the first delivery. Furthermore, my understanding is Jetran has 5 under contract to deliver to Qatar airlines - again this was the first delivery of the five. Both companies taking a substantial risk if in fact either were aware, part of the planning, or if they authorized such a stunk.
First, I had to laugh at this “could have impacted a lot of people”.
Second this fly-by was performed badly. Every good pilot knows, PULL THEN ROLL. not the other way around. The pilot also limited the roll, which was a good thing.
Yes, a wet dream and dumb, but I confess that I did the same thing when I got my okay to solo while taking flying lessons in NJ and Conn. I was supposed to fly the pattern and do a touch and go, but I left the airport to buzz the resort where I had a summer job during high school vacation. I was only in a 140 tail dragger but the thrill and freedom of flying got the best of me. It was a kinder and gentler time so I didn't get in trouble.
Planned? Looks like a helicopter flying off his wing. Making a video?
Every pilot's wet dream; simultaneously, the dumbest thing a pilot can do.
Syd, please be advised that there are many British soldiers who would disagree with your generalisation of pilots.
As Pilot93434 advised above, the subject pilot failed to “Pull then roll”.
An ex Fat Albert pilot may have failed to take into account the relatively lower wing position of the 777.
But that is only speculation on my part.
One centimeter does not make for a catastrophe, Old saying by pilots in harbours
This is a direct attack by Qatar to make a fool of Boeing, it was of no cost to them but if something had happened, it'll be a mark on America and Boeing's face again.
It's time we ban airlines from flying into US if they do conducts like these, and it's a good thing that this was an American built Boeing, had it been an Airbus, it would have definitely crashed.
Hogwash! J plat.
You post unsubstantiated nonsense, have you been taking lessons from that Walter Mitty Dunn?
@JPlat this is a very odd post that makes several assertions neither of which has any proof whatsoever. Seriously, chill.
You all keep accusing what I say as hogwash, just like when Trump claimed vandal and sabotage for the pool, and look how many people they've now caught who clearly had malice to ruin the pool in mind.
Simply unpatriotic for you to not back Boeing and America when we offer clearly products that are head and above all other countries.
Who’s been caught? Nobody.
“Simply unpatriotic for you to not back Boeing and America when we offer clearly products that are head and above all other countries”. Who are you kidding JPlat?
Clearly some people need to read more independent chronicles which state the facts about current Boeing aircraft and their standing in the world. Then you might understand exactly why people accuse you of posting hogwash upon hogwash …. Yes?
I am not sure I understand the motivation or reason for a fly over like this. Costly for sure to detour several hundred miles just for a flyover. Can someone explain to me what the purpose of this would be? Is there a logical explanation for why someone would do this?
Perhaps Walter Mitty Dunn, planned this faux pas and that is the reason why Delta reportedly sacked him?
“Near disaster” is a bit of a stretch. That massive 777 has so much inertia that, even had the wing scraped the ground, it’s not like it would’ve been cartwheeled into a fireball. It would’ve continued flying, come back around to land, and had a very pricey repair to explain.
I could be mistaken but I dont believe that airport runway can land a 777 (length and weight limitations). As such, a come back around landing would have to occur in Austin or San Antonio I presume the nearest two airports with runways that can take a 777.
Gonna go out on a limb and suggest that the wing tip is not rating for ground strike at ~200kts or faster. You're leaving part of your wing behind even if the spar withstands the strike. Barely off the ground gives no margin for correction when the whole thing suddenly flies differently.
This isn't the funny pages, kids, nor your latest action-thriller movie.
Without proper simulation, no one can actually fully predict how the outcome would have been.
There's a possibility that the wing strikes the ground, due to the G-Force and the roll the plane was on, the wing snaps either at the root or around the engine pylon. No plane can successfully fly after that. They might be able to keep it airborne for a few more seconds at most.
ATC: "I have a number for you to call when you're ready..."
Decades ago I was working as Medical crew on a fixed wing air ambulance; a Citation in this case. We had gotten a new young pilot from the Navy who was carrier qualified. On his first outbound flight as captain we headed to pick up a patient. The pilot lifted off about a third of the way down the runway, retracted the gear, and flew the rest of the length of the runway about ten...
Decades ago I was working as Medical crew on a fixed wing air ambulance; a Citation in this case. We had gotten a new young pilot from the Navy who was carrier qualified. On his first outbound flight as captain we headed to pick up a patient. The pilot lifted off about a third of the way down the runway, retracted the gear, and flew the rest of the length of the runway about ten feet off the deck. At the end of the runway he pulled up hard and forcefully banked right such that those of us in back had to hang onto the IV hooks in the ceiling to remain in place. When we returned with the patient and turned into our aircraft's parking spot the company's chief pilot was standing there with his arms crossed. Never saw the young Navy guy again.
Lolllll!!! Love it.
Novice speaking here so ignore if rubbish: towards the end of the video, we can see someone standing near the runway filming. He then picks up a water bottle. Wouldn’t the bottle haven been knocked over if the plane had flown so close?
No expert either.....but if you watch his shirt, he picks up the bottle just before the jet wash goes over him.
Now that's the Spirit of Delta.
Premium propaganda to show.
Really just to show, still empty inside.
Pilot was probably related to Tim.
If you want to be the " cool guy " stunt pilot, the low pass in a refurbished 777 looks exactly like what it is. Dangerous and stupid
Maverick: Requesting permission for flyby.
Air Boss Johnson: That's a negative Ghostrider, the pattern is full.
Goose: No. No, Mav, this is not a good idea.
Maverick: Sorry Goose, but it's time to buzz the tower.
Insane. Looks like the wing was probably less than 6-7 feet off the ground at its lowest point.
It looks planned (to some extent). There's a low flying helicopter in the background (probably filming) and people on the ground seemed to know it was coming.
My thoughts as well. Surprised OMAAT didn't mention the trailing chopper likely doing photos
Which makes this stunt all the more worrying. If multiple people were in the know that this low pass was being performed, then it says a lot about the company culture. I am not sure if these are QR pilot, but definitely not a good look.
I typically expect headlines and "must watch" to be hyperbole, but wow, that was extremely low and very lucky the wing didn't clip. The pilot must be submitting his application to the Blue Angels.
More likely submitting his / her unemployment paperwork.