Air, Freight News


Qatar Airways says not involved in risky freighter manoeuvre

[ July 3, 2026   //   ]

Qatar Airways has moved swiftly to rebut suggestions that it was operating its aircraft dangerously after one of its aircraft appeared on social media carrying out a dangerous low pass at Horseshoe Bay Resort Jet Center in Texas on 24 June. It pointed out that the aircraft, a newly converted Boeing 777 freighter was on a pre-delivery test flight prior to joining its fleet and the flight was not operated by Qatar Airways pilots.

The plane’s wingtips reportedly came to within inches of the ground at the privately-owned airfield after banking sharply.

The aircraft was on a ferry flight from Grissom Aeroplex, Indiana, to Fort Worth Alliance Airport, Texas, and made a detour to perform the low pass over Jetran’s base at Horseshoe Bay, the Texas-based company that owns the aircraft.

Aviation experts said that even a minor gust of wind or turbulence could have caused a catastrophic wing strike. The conversion work was carried out by Mammoth Freighters, which said that it too did not own or operate the aircraft at the time

Jetran LLC, the aircraft owner stated the flight did not reflect operational standards and expected authorities to investigate

The aircraft is a 17-year-old Boeing 777-200LR, previously operated by Delta Air Lines and underwent a passenger-to-freighter conversion that was completed in 2025.

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