Reporting Low Flying Aircraft

The City does not have the legal authority to levy a fine or otherwise penalize an aircraft operator for flying too low, or in an unsafe manner.

Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 91.119 of the General Operating and Flight Rules specifically prohibits low-flying aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) welcomes information from citizens that will enable them to take corrective measures, including legal enforcement action, against individuals violating Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR). It is FAA policy to investigate citizen reports of low-flying aircraft, operated in violation of the FAR, that might endanger persons or property. Locally, Flight Standards inspectors work in the Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).

FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)
Flight Standards Division, ASW-200
10101 Hillwood Parkway
Ft. Worth, TX 76177

Phone: 817-222-5200

Before contacting the FSDO, remember that the FAA is a safety organization with legal enforcement responsibilities so they will need facts before they conduct an investigation. Please have this information ready when you call. And do keep your notes as the inspector may request a written statement. Here is the type of information needed:

  • Identification - Can you identify the aircraft? Was it military or civil? Was it a high-or low-wing aircraft? Did you record the registration number which appears on the fuselage? (On U.S. registered aircraft, that number will be preceded with a capital ”N.”)
  • Time and place - Exactly when did the incident(s) occur? Where? What direction was the aircraft flying? What was the color?
  • Altitude - How high (low) was the aircraft flying? On what do you base your estimate? Was the aircraft level with or below the elevation of a prominent object such as a tower or building?
  • Are there any witnesses who could confirm the incident? If so, please have their names, addresses, and telephone numbers available. They may be contacted.
  • Was a statement made to local law enforcement? While they have limited authority in aviation matters, police officers are considered ”trained observers” by the courts and their written statements or reports make excellent evidence should our enforcement action go to trial.
  • And finally, were photographs taken? If so, what lens was used, and what is the height of any identifiable landmarks that appear?

Once they have the appropriate facts, an FAA aviation safety inspector from the local FSDO will attempt to identify the offending aircraft operator by checking aircraft flight records with air traffic control, and determine if others witnessed the incident. The safety inspector will trace the registered owner of the aircraft and determine who the pilot-in-command was at the time, if possible.

Citizens reporting about low-flying aircraft will, upon request, be advised of the final results of the FAA investigation. Be sure to give the FSDO/GADO your name, address and telephone numbers where you can be reached at home and at work.

If you’d like further information from the FAA, please call or write the Community and Consumer Liaison Division, APA-200, Federal Aviation Administration, Washington, D.C. 20591. The telephone number is 202-267-3481, and is answered from 7:30 a.m. - 4:0O p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.